Column of Honor: 01.12.08: A Whole New Ballgame
Posted by Jerome Cusson on 01.12.2008
I may not be Ari, but talking about Misawa and Bret Hart should be enough to convince you to click and read anyway. Also check out the results from ROH's first show of 2008 from Boston and a preview of Edison.
Welcome to the Column. My name is Jerome Cusson and I'm subbing for Ari this week. After publishing the amount of material he has about Ring of Honor, and then witnessing eight hours of action in a twenty-four hour period, you might be a little burned out too. After Csonka initially said he would do it, I was a little crushed because I've wanted to contribute material about ROH to 411 since I started back in September. Other then a live report, I've focused on the movie zone. Right now, I review one episode a week of the following shows: Friends, The Simpsons, South Park, Futurama, and Family Guy.
I've been a Ring of Honor fan since April of 2006 and currently own over 70 shows. Since I found out about this opportunity to write this column, I've watched everything up to Glory by Honor VI. That's eight shows in about eight days. I'll discuss Misawa's special appearance and Bret Hart's autobiography in the "Honorarium." We'll also take a look at the first ROH show of 2008 and preview all the madness that's sure to take place in Edison tonight. I'll pretty much follow the template all of you are used to with a couple of notable exclusions. I will be having a special edition of the "Column of Honor" of my own entitled "Why the Age of the Fall is the Decay of ROH."
Ring Toss
-Top Story
-ROH Results: 1/11/08
-ROH Roll Call
-ROH News
-Hero's Sandwich
-Honorarium
-ROH Preview: 1/12/08
-The Independent Buy-In
-ROH at 411
-Honor Bound Links
Top Story
ROH Results: 1/11/08 in Boston, MA Matches
-Kenny King and Jason Blade defeated Pelle Primeau and Eddie Edwards
-Daizee Haze defeated Alexa Thatcher with the heart punch/mind trip combination
-Claudio Castagnoli defeated Ruckus with the European uppercut
-Daniel Puder defeated Mike Bennett with a leg submission
-Bryan Danielson defeated Brent Albright with the triangle choke
-Kevin Steen defeated The Necro Butcher with a package piledriver on a chair
-Delirious defeated Sal Rinauro with the cobra stretch
-Roderick Strong defeated El Generico with the Gibson driver
-Erick Stevens defeated Austin Aries with the doctor bomb
-Age of the Fall successfully defended the ROH World Tag Team Championships in Ultimate Endurance. Jigsaw and Evans were eliminated when Albright applied the half nelson suplex to Jigsaw. B.J. Whitmer and Brent Albright were eliminated when Mark Briscoe dove from a ladder and pinned Whitmer. Finally, the Age of the Fall defeated the Briscoes after a contracode by Jimmy Jacobs into a phoenix splash by Tyler Black.
Issues & Angles
--After Mr. Puder destroyed the local jobber Bryan Danielson came out and challenged the former WWE and MMA star. Sweet 'n' Sour was then chased away from Claudio Castagnoli.
-Kevin Steen dove out to the floor and crashed through three chairs. The match also contained an insane ending with Steen giving Necro a chair shot, a ball shot, and then the aforementioned package piledriver onto a chair.
-Sal Rinauro, as terrible a wrestler as he is, brought some extremely gorgeous young ladies with him to the ring and Delirious appropriately hit on them.
-Austin Aries and Erick Stevens were actually counted out, prior to Stevens finally beating his former mentor with his finisher. Aries continued his heel turn by once again not shaking his opponent's hand.
-The elephant in the room in the main event, a long-standing issue between B.J. Whitmer and Jimmy Jacobs, was addressed. Both had a spike stare down, but instead of going after each other, they went after The Briscoes.
ROH Call
ROH Champions—As of 01/10/2008
ROH World Champion—Nigel McGuinness (champion since 10/06/07, 3 successful defenses)
Next Defense:: vs. Go Shiozaki, Tokyo, Japan 01/20/08 Next Defense in the United States: Steel Cage Match vs. Chris Hero, Dayton, OH 01/25/08
V.1 defeated Jay Briscoe, wristlock submission (10/21/07 San Francisco, CA)
V.2 defeated Chris Hero, wristlock submission (11/02/07 Philadelphia, PA)
V.3 defeated Austin Aries, Jawbreaker Lariat (12/29/07 Manhattan, NY)
ROH World Tag Team Champions—The Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black) (champions since 12/30/07, (champions since 12/30/07, 1 successful title defense
V.1 Ultimate Endurance: defeated The Briscoes, Jack Evans/Jigsaw, and Brent Albright/B.J. Whitmer in (01/11/08 Boston, MA)
Next Defense:: TBA
FIP Heavyweight Champion: Erick Stevens (since 12/30/2007)
SHIMMER Champion: Sara Del Rey (since 6/2/2007)
Top of the Class Trophy (For ROH Students): Ernie Osiris (since 11/02/2007)
Top Feuds & Pairings:
-Nigel McGuinness vs. Chris Hero
-Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness
-The Age of the Fall vs. The Briscoes
-The Vulture Squad vs. The Age of the Fall
-Delirious / Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. Albright, Whitmer and Adam Pearce (The Hangman's Three)
-Claudio Castagnoli vs. Larry Sweeney
-Erick Stevens vs. Daniel Puder -Bryan Danielson vs. Daniel Puder
ROH News
(via the ROHnewswire… and other sources when attributed
No More Head Games
Pro Wrestling Insider reported that Chris Nowinski was at the ROH show talking to the wrestlers about concussions.
I think this is absolutely tremendous ROH officials had Nowinski come into talk to the guys. I hope ROH and all their other affiliated companies do everything in their power to support more research for concussions as it is so important for the wrestlers to take care of themselves. Hopefully, the wrestlers heed the warnings and take some preventive steps toward less head shots.
Historic Announcement TONIGHT
Larry Sweeney says he will have a historic announcement concerning his clients Chris Hero and Sara Del Rey this Saturday in Edison. We have no idea what Sweeney has planned.
No idea what this is, but my hunch is Del Rey and Hero are dating. I have no idea why, but it could lead to some funny backstage segments. Maybe Sweeney wants the happy couple to create the most superior child athlete of all.
Not so Sunny days
Tammy Lynn Sytch made an appearance in Manhattan on 12/30, and in the latest video wire, Lacey cuts a promo. Giving Lacey a microphone is usually a bad idea, but she did cut an inspired promo about Sytch beginning the pattern of women being divas instead of real athletes. The New York crowd responded how you would expect by cheering when Lacey mentioned women in wrestling just being T&A. Yup, we're ready for a woman president.
It only took seven months, but we have a rematch
There will be a rematch of the finals of the Race To The Top Tournament when Claudio Castagnoli takes on El Generico. These two tore the house down before, now Chicago will witness the rematch.
At least I get to see the match live, but it would have been nice to see this match take place a month or two later instead of almost eight. Still, this should be a good match and with both guys being fresh instead of coming off two other matches. I hope they let it all hang out.
THE READERS HAVE SPOKEN
The diehard fans on the ROHwrestling.com message board have voted on the year end awards. Some winners are: Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima from "Manhattan Mayhem II" won Match Of The Year; "Good Times, Great Memories" won Show Of The Year; Bryan Danielson won Wrestler Of The Year; The Briscoes won MVP and Tag Team Of The Year.
Many things can be said about the fans on the message board, some of them not very nice. They did get these awards right for the most part. The only real quarrel I have is for match of the year, since I thought the "Ladder War" or The Briscoes vs. MCMG should have won.
Luchador to the Rescue
Now Albright & Whitmer have challenged Delirious to find a partner for a tag bout. El Generico has agreed to team with Delirious to continue their feud against Albright & Whitmer when ROH returns to Dayton on 1/25.
Generico's weekend is now set. Delirious was very poorly booked in the year 2007, and one can only hope that better days are ahead for Delirious. This will likely be some sort of street fight or no disqualification match, a match I've grown tired of with the whole Age of the Fall/Briscoes feud.
This isn't vague at all
There are some interesting rumblings coming from the current NOAH tour. Stay tuned.
Well, Nigel McGuinness is going up against Go Shiozaki, but other than that I'm just gonna listen to the second sentence and move on.
It wasn't exactly a scratch, but it could have been worse.
From the F4W Online newsletter: "It is believed that Bryan Danielson didn't actually suffer a concussion last week and was just dizzy during his match due to loss of blood."
This is always good news as people are finally starting to realize just how debilitating concussions can be, and with all the injuries Danielson has dealt with, this is definitely some good news to end his 2007.
Before we get to Chris Hero's propaganda, I just want to make it clear that I didn't even want him as a contributor this week. That jackal Larry Sweeney informed me his client wouldn't talk to a ham 'n 'egger like me. Words were exchanged. I called his "Texarna TV Championship" a joke. He called me a worse excuse for a human than Bobby Dempsey. Finally, Michael Bauer was good enough to step in and transcribe the "Hero's Sandwich" for this week. So thank you Bauer for saving my ass.
Before we get to Chris Hero's propoganda, I just want to make it clear that I didn't even want him as a contributer this week. That jackal Larry Sweeney informed me his client wouldn't talk to a ham'n'egger like me. Words were exchanged. I called his "Texarna TV Championship" a joke. He called me a worse excuse for a human than Bobby Dempsey. Finally, Michael Bauer was good enough to step in and transcribe the "Hero's Sandwich" for this week. So thank you Bauer for saving my ass.
Hero's Sandwich
Hello all my Hero-ites! It is I, the greatest wrester alive not just today, but yesterday and tomorrow, Chris Hero, and it is time once again for your dose of pure wrestling reality, it is the Hero Sandwich. By the time all of you read this, it will be half way through another double shot weekend for Ring of Honor, where unfortunately a knee injury has sidelined me. And it really is a shame, because I was looking forward to taking Bryan Danielson and making him cry in the middle of that ring. There would have been no countless hits to my money making face with elbows, no unimaginable stomps to my holy land, and there would have been no victory for a guy who is clearly not the best in the world. Because it just so happens that title is already being held by your lord and savior, Chris Hero. But alas, this was a freak injury that should never happen to a man who is in such peak condition as myself. But I promise you all that I will live up to my New Year's Resolutions that I shared with you last week. For I pledged to all of you last week and I shall again right here and now: When I am healthy once again, I will perform more cravates repeatedly than Bryan Danielson can hit repeated elbows or stomps to the dome of some other fool. And then I will go into Dayton, Ohio on January 25th and defeat Nigel McGuiness inside a Steel Cage and be your Ring of Honor World Champion. And in just one month, two of my resolutions shall be fully completed, since I dropped my last one faster than most drop their diets, I need to get back on track.
And speaking of this double shot weekend, it shall be the greatest in the history of the Ring of Honor, because my main man, the super agent to the stars, the man who cleanly pinned Claudio Castagnoli to the mat in new York City, the one and only Larry Sweeney will be dropping some earth-shattering news to everyone in Edison, New Jersey. This will be will be mind blowing, it shall be historic, and it will involve both the greatest women's wrestler alive today Sara Del Rey and your truly Chris Hero. Now I would be more than happy to share this piece of news with all of you, but it is like the super agent says, "Chris hero doesn't do anything for free." And every week I come out here and grace you all with my presence to give back to my legions of Hero-ites, but young Ari doesn't come close to paying enough to Sweet ‘N Sour Incorporated to allow my to divulge any information to you all about this great announcement which will change the landscape of professional wrestling. But I shall leave you all with one hint; it will not involve Bobby Dempsey coming close to being the next World Champ.
Also, this weekend will be incredibly huge because the newest member of Sweet ‘N Sour Incorporated, Daniel Puder, will be debuting inside a Ring of Honor wrestling ring. Now that last place that had the honor of being in Sweet ‘N Sours Incorporated's presence decided to spew nothing but disrespect at Daniel Puder, telling him that he can not wrestle. To all of those people, I dare you ask Claudio Castagnoli about the man's ability to hurt people inside the middle of the ring. Daniel Puder is a one man wrecking crew, a submission machine, and the man who prove all the nay-sayers wrong in Boston and New Jersey. He will make me the leading edge of pro wrestling technology (another one of my unbreakable resolutions) by teaching me submissions that will make Danielson scream for his life. But the thing that most disrespectful is that Daniel was doing nothing more than watching another unbearable wrestling match between Erick Stevens and Davey Richards, meaning the great fans needed something decent to look at. What they got was more than that, they got something great. And the fans things weekend will get to bear witness to this greatness when Daniel Puder graces you all with his presence.
One other thing I wish to address on this subject goes back to my personal publisher of sorts in Ari Bernstein. Last week, for those who missed it, Ari wrote a special article about the double standards of all of the Ring of Honor faithful. Now, as we all know, I usually do not agree with Ari or his views and for the most part, I don't with this. BUT there is one specific thing he goes into that I do agree with fully and that is how all of you treated Daniel Puder in New York City. Now, I don't understand how anyone could just tune out the second hottest free agent on the market behind myself like Ari attempted to, but nonetheless, he failed at that. Why? Because he had no choice but to make mention of it. I especially love how he ended his rant by asking one simple question: "Why were the ROH fans not being open minded about Daniel Puder in Ring of Honor?" And I don't love it because I agreed with him. NO, NO, NO, it couldn't be further from the freaking truth. I know what great talent is and my Hero-ites, Daniel Puder is a beyond a great talent. So you fans don't need to open minded with Daniel Puder. You just need to accept the pure fact that Daniel Puder and Chris Hero will dominate Ring of Honor in 2008 and there is nothing anyone on the roster can do about it. And I sure the people think that are people who can stop us? Claudio Castagnoli? Please, I think we have all seen what Daniel Puder can do to the Swiss version of Nigel McGuiness. Just replace the lariat with an uppercut. And as for Erick Stevens, the man who blew his tiresome match with Davey Richards because Daniel Puder did nothing more than make an appearance, don't make me laugh. Erick Stevens couldn't outwrestle Chris Hero is I both hands tied behind my back. All I would need to do is listen for a big caboose charging at me and WHAM!, it's a turnbuckle sandwich for Mr. Choo-Choo.
But for now, I must leave you all for sitting here is making me even that much more anxious to get back on this knee and make it one hundred percent ready to win the Ring of Honor World Championship in Dayton, putting it where it belongs, ON MY WAIST! Now, I know last week I promised you an insight into how I was screwed by the officiating once again, but with Larry Sweeney's major announcement looming and all the hyping up I have inside, I had no reason to put myself down into a state of being lethargic like Bobby Dempsey. So, until we meet again, this has been your weekly dose of enlightenment; this has been your Hero's Sandwich. Sayonara, suckers!
Honorarium
-For those of you who have not gotten a chance to read Bret Hart's autobiography, Hitman, I highly recommend that you do so. Mick Foley's book was very funny and touching, but Hart's biography may be the most well-written wrestling book ever written. There are no typos that I noticed (except because it's from Canada Random House, a word like "check" is spelled like "cheque") and while he does mess a couple of facts up, the book is clean compared to so many others. His stories about his brother Owen, Dynamite Kid, and the wrestlers he's worked with that have passed on are very powerful. And I promise you, after reading this book, you will never look at the Hart family the same ever again.
-I just finished watching the Glory by Honor VI weekend shows and enjoyed them both a great deal. Both had a big event type feel, and the crowds showed it with their enthusiasm. Of course, the talk deservedly should have surrounded the legendary Misawa. One of my favorite moments of Glory by Honor VI was Misawa going through the ropes and diving on KENTA. The man seemed to be moving at half speed, especially compared to other ROH wrestlers. When he dove to the outside, even I wanted to leap out of my seat and chant "MISAWA." This was a real highlight of 2007.
ROH Preview: 1/12/08 in Edison, NJ
Inman Sports Club
January 12th, 2008- 7:30pm belltime
990 Inman Avenue
Edison, NJ 08820
Anything Goes Brawl
Jay & Mark Briscoe with Daizee Haze vs. The Necro Butcher & Tyler Black with Lacey
Why this match is happening: Age of the Fall and the Briscoes are feuding.
Why the Briscoes will win: It's a non-title match and The Briscoes will likely be challenging for the belts at some point in the near future.
Why the Age of the Fall will win: There is still the possibility this could become a title match if ROH wants to spice things up. They could go under the old "Freebird" or "Russian" rule where any member of a group can defend the tag belts. Really, I think ROH wants to give this feud some more juice so I don't see Age of the Fall winning.
FIP World Heavyweight Title Match
Erick Stevens vs. Bryan Danielson
Why this match is happening: Erick Stevens is getting a huge push and Bryan Danielson is pretty much the go to guy for newbies to test themselves and have a good match.
Why Erick Stevens will win: No way ROH can possibly have the FIP title change twice in a thirty day period and not even on an FIP show. Stevens has been protected better than any other newcomer the last couple of years and seems to finally be getting over with the tough ROH crowd.
Why Bryan Danielson: Danielson is going to be making an appearance at the next FIP show so there is a chance he could win. Ultimately, the best he can hope for is a no-contest, which seems to be even more likely now that he's gotten himself into a feud with Daniel Puder. I expect interference from Sweet 'n' Sour Inc.
Special Challenge Match #1
Austin Aries vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Why this match is happening: Aries and Castagnoli are both main eventers who haven't wrestled in almost a year. This harkens back to the olden days of ROH when two guys just have an athletic contest and aren't necessarily feuding.
Why Claudio Castagnoli will win: This is a chance for him to really shove his way into the main event. He's had some great wins and matches the last year, but beating the former TNA star and the man who took two out of three from Bryan Danielson will slot him as a main eventer once and for all.
Why Austin Aries will win: Aries has a heel turn to complete and this could be the night to make some declaration about why he's doing what he's doing. An inspired promo would probably make more sense after yet another loss so expect the losing streak to continue.
Special Challenge Match #2
Jimmy Jacobs with Lacey vs. Jack Evans with Mercedes Martinez
Why this match is happening: The Vulture Squad and Age of the Fall are sort of feuding.
Why Jimmy Jacobs is going to win: He's already beaten Bryan Danielson so how could they book him
to lose to someone who really hasn't been all that successful recently in singles action.
Why Jack Evans will win: On the other hand, an Evans' victory would give them the right to challenge for the tag titles again after a tough loss last night. The Vulture Squad could also use some sustained momentum.
Battle Of The Bulls
Brent Albright vs. Kevin Steen
Why this match is happening: The Hangman Three are feuding with Kevin Steen and El Generico.
Why Brent Albright will win: The Hangman Three have had a lot of momentum and Albright is usually booked to win singles matches. ROH is very careful when Albright loses. After losing to Bryan Danielson in Boston last night, If he does pick up the huge victory here, it will likely send Steen on a break.
Why Kevin Steen will win: If Steen isn't going on break, there is a definite possibility for him to win this match because of how over he is and the potential for Steen and Generico to shift into a feud with the Age of the Fall at some point soon.
Vulture Squad vs. No Remorse Corps
Jigsaw with Julius Smokes vs. Roderick Strong
Why this match is happening: The Vulture Squad and No Remorse Corps. are feuding. This is a fresh match-up in the rivalry between both factions.
Why Jigsaw will win:Jigsaw has yet to pick up a singles victory in ROH competition so an upset would be interesting and very much a kick in the teeth on this first weekend.
Why Roderick Strong will win:Strong just lost his FIP world title and this is his chance to re-establish himself as a force in Ring of Honor. He has a huge battle with Nigel for the ROH world title in a couple weeks and needs some victories beforehand so there's actually some drama.
Six Man Tag Action
Mike Quackenbush, Delirious, & El Generico vs. The YRR of Sal Rinauro & FIP Tag Team Champions Jason Blade & Kenny King
Why this match is happening: ROH is trying to bring YRR into ROH. Delirious, El Generico, and Quack have nothing better to do.
Why Mike Quackenbush, Delirious, & El Generico will win: Quack may not deserve a push since his time in ROH is inconsistent at best, but giving him some wins would be nice. Delirious and Generico need to win for some momentum leading into Dayton against the Hangman Three.
Tag Team Attraction
BJ Whitmer & Shane Hagadorn vs. Eddie Edwards & Bobby Fish
Why this match is happening: Hangman Three are hungry and need something to feed on. A little fish should quench their hunger.
Why B.J. Whitmer & Shane Hagadorn will win: Hangman Three are not going 0-2.
Why Eddie Edwards and Bobby Fish will win:: Shane Hagadorn is in this match. There's always a chance for his opponents to win.
Going Home
**The Independent Buy In**
2008
**CHIKARA "Cibernetico & Robin" (Torneo Cibernetico: Kings of Wrestling vs. Dorado's Luchadores, The Olsen Twins / Cheech & Cloudy, Quackenbush / Donst, The Colony / BLK OUT ) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA "Brusied" (Kingston / Donst, Campeones de Parejas: F.I.S.T. vs. Incoherence / Castagnoli / Taylor, The Colony / Brodie Lee & Olsen Twins, Cheech & Cloudy / Osirian Portal ) High Recommendation
The ROH List
I'm not as much of an independent wrestling connoisseur like Ari is. This is why it's harder for me to burn out on professional wrestling. Unless it's something like the "Ted Petty Invitational" or "The Battle of Los Angeles," I really focus my attention on Ring of Honor and to a lesser extent FIP, which is just the junior version of ROH. So no additions from me this week.
However, this section needs your help! If you want to recommend some good independent wrestling to your fellow internet readers out there, drop Ari a line for the column.
ROH @ 411
Brad Garoon and Jacob Ziegler are back with their look at Manhattan Mayhem .
It's always fun when Csonka and Berman tackle some ROH and PWG issues. Check out their latest in BUY OR SELL .
Honor Bound Links
After watching two documentaries on the company, I've been hungry for more knowledge on World Class Championship Wrestling. Check out Matt Adamson's review of the biggest show in history, The Parade of Champions , and gain the knowledge about one of the best wrestling companies in history.
I can't believe the worldwide leader of sports is actually airing this, but they've begun airing some old UWF. See Paul Orndorff and a young Cactus Jack compete every night on ESPN classic late night, or save yourself a lot of time and read Ryan Byers' recap .
Chad Webb takes a look at some of the best and worst in movies for the year 2007 in his Big Screen Bulletin.
Well, as far as the usual column, that's it for me. I'd once again like to thank Ari for the opportunity to sub for him. Stay tuned though for another special edition of "The Column of Honor" coming in just a little while.
