411 ROH Roundtable Preview: Virginia and New York, May 9th & 10th, 2008

Posted by Ari Berenstein on 05.09.2008

The 411 staff comes together for a roundtable review of Ring of Honor's big weekend of debuts in Virginia and at the Hammerstein Ballroom. NIgel vs. Claudio for the ROH Title headlines and we big swing our picks inside!

Heyyyyy! ROH fans and readers of 411 and welcome to the ROH Roundtable for early May 2008. We are heading into a huge weekend of Honor action, including two historic firsts. ROH runs its first show in Virginia and then holds its first show in the Hammerstein Ballroom! Marquee main events for each show include the No Remorse Corps vs. NOAH's Takeshi Morishima, Naomichi Marufuji & Go Shiozaki and that dastardly Nigel McGuinness defending the ROH World Title against current number one contender Claudio Castagnoli. Other key points are Jimmy Jacobs being driven over the line thanks to being dumped by Lacey and Roderick Strong and Erick Stevens continuing to battle it out for the FIP Heavyweight Title. Joining us this time around to make their picks for these matches and more are none other than…

John Gregory, of the Death By Midwest IWA reports.

Jarrod Westerfield, of Scripted Through Sin.

Michael Bauer, of the ECW Recap and the infamous ROH signature cap.

Jerome Cusson, our Friends and South Park reviewer.

Samuel Berman, who still has a seat in Roundtable Manor and is our resident Cool Kid at the Roundtable.

Me, Ari Berenstein, of Column of Honor.

Now that you know the names behind the picks, let's pick the names for this weekend. But first…

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One Year Ago: (results from ROHwrestling.com)

Reborn Again, from Hartford, CT, 5/11/07

1. Jimmy Rave defeated Pelle Primeau in a brutal match. (411 said Jimmy Rave 6-2)
2. Daizee Haze defeated Nikki Roxx
3. Kevin Steen & El Generico defeated Jason Blade & Eddie Edwards (411 Mania said: Kevin Steen & El Generico 8-0)
4. Claudio Castagnoli defeated Bobby Fish
5. Shane Hagadorn came out dressed in Bryan Danielson's old cloak to fool the fans. Hagadorn and Adam Pearce then laughed at the fans. The real Bryan Danielson made his return to ROH to defeat both Hagadorn and Pearce in singles matches. No Remorse Corps of Roderick Strong, Davey Richards & Rocky Romero came out and offered Danielson a spot in the NRC. Danielson refused and the NRC then moved in for an attack. The Resilience of Matt Cross & Erick Stevens then came to Danielson's side. Danielson agreed to team with them for the night leading to:
6. Strong, Richards & Romero defeated Danielson, Stevens & Cross
7. Tank Toland defeated Mitch Franklin
8. Naomichi Marufuji defeated Matt Sydal (411 Mania said: Naomichi Marufuji 6-2)
9. KENTA defeated Delirious (411 Mania said: KENTA 6-2)
10.Jay & Mark Briscoe defeated Takeshi Morishima & BJ Whitmer to retain the ROH World Tag Team Titles (411 Mania said: Jay & Mark Briscoe 8-0)

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Respect Is Earned, from Manhattan, NY, 5/12/07

1. Brent Albright beat Tank Toland
2. Takeshi Morishima beat BJ Whitmer to retain the ROH World Title
3. Naomichi Marufuji beat Rocky Romero
4. Davey Richards beat Erick Stevens
5. Jay & Mark Briscoe defeated Matt Sydal & Claudio Castagnoli to retain the World Tag Team Titles
6. Sara Del Rey beat Daizee Haze
7. El Generico & Kevin Steen won a Tag Team Scramble over Irish Airborne, Pelle Primeau & Mitch Franklin, and Jimmy Rave & Adam Pearce
8. Roderick Strong beat Delirious
9. Bryan Danielson & Takeshi Morishima defeated Nigel McGuinness & KENTA in a dream tag team match.

411 Staff did not make picks as the card was not announced before show.

**

ROH from the Round

FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2008 – MANASSAS, VA

Chris Hero vs. Pelle Primeau
Jarrod Westerfeld: Once again, it's that time to do up a weekend of ROH talk and we're going to start off with Chris "I'm You're Hero" Hero taking on…wait, is that right? Pelle Primeau? Oh come on. Haven't we learned anything from the ROH students? The only glaring star out of that group is mini-Gregory Helms, Mitch Franklin. Pelle's only good at getting an ass whipping and has demonstrated he's certainly mastered the art of selling like a trooper, something you'd think Paul Roma would've grasped after years of being a jobber – well, we all now know he just sucked at his job. Is this even really up for debate? Does anyone really bank on Pelle to win here? I doubt Gabe hates the fans enough to actually punish Hero with a loss to the shrimp.

Winner: Chris Hero via MURDER~

Michael Bauer: This feels like a waste of a match for Chris Hero. I get the point as to why we have it, but I can still disagree with it happening. Chris Hero does not lose this match. PERIOD.

Winner: Chris Hero

Jerome Cusson: You have one of the biggest weekends in the history of Ring of Honor. You have one of the biggest stars in independent wrestling. Who do you have him wrestling over the weekend? A student one and the next participating in some sort of scramble tag team match. Isn't that just grand. Hero wins easily.

Winner: Chris Hero

Samuel Berman: Hero needs another dominant win to continue his current storyline. Pelle can take a beating. A + B =...

Winner: Chris Hero

Ari Berenstein: Echoing what a lot of the other contributors have stated, Hero is in a position where he can benefit from handing a massive beating to Pelle and well, its Pelle, so you don't really lose any momentum in the deal. As I stated in Buy or Sell, Pelle is coming around as a member of the lower card, but he is still not at any point where he should be winning against Hero unless it's the start of a big storyline for him.

Winner: Chris Hero

411 Staff Picks: Chris Hero (5-0)


Jack Evans vs. Necro Butcher
John Gregory: Jack is really just a jobber these days, which is fine by me as he's really a one trick pony. Necro needs a win because he's obviously not getting one the next night.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Jarrod Westerfeld: If this is anywhere near as fun as the encounter these two had at Final Battle 2007, then the fans in Virginia shall be in for a massive treat. Necro and the rest of the Age of the Fall are coming off of a weekend of doubt and questions as their leader, Jacobs, is now far more unstable then he's ever been, and it's all because of the same woman that refuses his love. Last time Lacey got involved in this match-up that allowed Necro some pity from the crowd, but this go around, there won't be any mercy, and I can see Evans getting a decisive victory here, though the next night I can't see Necro getting a win over big Morishima, so he gets the win here just to level him out for the weekend.

Winner: PANIC~ its NECRO~

Michael Bauer: This is a NO DQ Match that stems from their match at Final Battle 2007 and if that match was any indication, this should be fun to see. Jack Evans needs the win so very badly here and as the only member of the Vulture Squad on this card, I can't see him losing, even if it is Necro and No DQ.

Winner: Jack Evans

Jerome Cusson: This is a fairly predictable match. Considering Necro is wrestling Morishima the following night and Evans won the first singles match, Necro piles Evans' body on the floor and goes into Hammerstein with momentum.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Samuel Berman: Should be gross. Necro seems in line for something of a push and Jack's perpetually over, so I'll eschew Dragon Gate booking here and pick as follows.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Ari Berenstein: In my mind this was sold on the wrong reasoning, that being that somehow Evans won on a fluke. That makes Evans look weak and that's something to be avoided considering the up and down nature of the Vulture Squad. Necro needs a win to help pump up the match against Morishima tomorrow, and this is his decisive and dominating victory to do just that.

Winner: Necro Butcher

411 Staff Picks: Necro Butcher (5-1)

Jay Briscoe vs. Jimmy Jacobs
John Gregory: This should be interesting. Jay wants revenge, Jimmy just wants blood. I don't think this can be controlled in the confines of a normal wrestling match and it'll get tossed quickly.

Winner: No Contest

Jarrod Westerfeld: This isn't a match, this is a set-up to a homicide! Jay is going to be looking for blood, and Jacobs will be more than obliged to deliver in buckets all while seeking out his own need to vent out and destroy. The question isn't whether this gets a clean finish or not, but rather, if both men will survive the long trip to New York the next night to do it all over again, but this time with partners – one of which being a man Jacobs would love nothing more than to tear apart with his bare hands.

Winner: No Contest (Morishima comes out and BACKDROPDRIVERS a ref for the hell of it in the chaos)

Michael Bauer: This will be a brawl, plain and simple. How this match is not the anything goes type of match is beyond me, because this match deserves to be brutal. Then again, they have tomorrow night. Jacobs should get the duke here to have some momentum heading into the Tag Title Match the next night, but I won't be surprised if I'm wrong.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs

Jerome Cusson: I originally was going to pick a winner, but not a chance in hell now. I think Aries interferes, and we have a giant clusterfrick. If I were booking, this would be the main event because you can end the show with a huge brawl with everyone involved. I do expect Jacobs and Briscoe to have their own crazy brawl since Jay wants revenge for his brother being injured by the spike of Jacobs. And by the way, from a kayfabe standpoint, when the hell is ROH going to ban the spike?

Winner: No-contest

Samuel Berman: I actually have a complicated theory about the next night that gives Jay something to do while Mark is on the shelf. For now, Jacobs is a legit singles star and thus gets the duke here.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs

Ari Berenstein: Jerome brings up a great point: the spike is obviously too dangerous for Ring of Honor and we all know Jacobs carries one in the staff. Ban it, just like WCW did with Nash and his powerbombs. Oh wait. Anyway I can definitely see where the thoughts of a "no contest" come in, but I think there will be a decisive winner. And while Jimmy Jacobs has all the heat on him for doing what he's done to Aries, Mark Briscoe and Lacey…I think Jay Briscoe out stiffs and out-weapons Jacobs in this one, with some timely help from Aries, to pick up the win. Jacobs escapes from Aries' clutches though as we head into the tag title match on Saturday.

411 Staff Picks: No Contest (3; 2 for Jacobs, 1 for Jay Briscoe)

Austin Aries vs. Erick Stevens
John Gregory: Aries lost to Stevens earlier this year, but he didn't have Lacey with him then. Stevens will get back on track, but Aries is too amped to stop right now.

Winner: Austin Aries

Jarrod Westerfeld: Aries gets back the pin he dropped to Stevens earlier in the year. That's all. Oh, and Jimmy Jacobs is bound to be here get all up in Austin's grill before they're pulled apart again by someone.

Winner: Austin Aries (only because Gabe isn't going to book a run-in finish for Stevens)

Michael Bauer: Aries and Stevens get a rematch from January, when Aries lost to everyone including Erick Stevens. Stevens should be kept hot heading into Strong and Go the next night, but the fact that Stevens has beaten Aries before keeps me from thinking he will win. Aries has all the momentum in the world right now and Lacey by his side. Aries has not beaten Stevens before… he will here… the lucky son of a bitch.

Winner: Austin Aries

Jerome Cusson: Austin Aries did win their first match, and I have hard time believing he'll do the job here. However, I can't see Stevens losing such a high profile match either. I smell some Age of the Fall interference leading to a no-contest.

Winner: no contest

Samuel Berman: Aries is back on a winning track and needs momentum heading into his big feud with Jacobs. Stevens, though hot early in the year, has cooled down a bit, but I actually think that's a good thing because A) his match quality hasn't suffered and B) it will avoid a fan backlash to him getting 'too much too soon'.

Winner: Austin Aries

Ari Berenstein: Cusson goes for back to back "No Contests" eh? Well, I have to admit I am intrigued and I think I am also going to call for a no contest here, IF this match goes on before Jacobs vs. Jay Briscoe. I can't see Aries losing right now and I don't think Stevens should lose on his way to fighting for the FIP title, so this is where we get some out of control ROH chaos.

Winner: No Lo Contendere

411 Staff Picks: Austin Aries (4-0; 2 No Contests)

ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness vs. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brent Albright vs. Damien Wayne (non title)
John Gregory: So many options here. I'll count Albright out because I don't see him getting any high profile win. Nigel and Claudio don't need it, and if one or the other won it might be tell too much about the next night's result. I'll go with Damien Wayne. A talented newcomer who needs to establish himself early, and there is no better chance than here.

Winner: Damien Wayne

Jarrod Westerfeld: I've never seen Damien Wayne, and if you told me who he was and asked to pick him out of a line-up based upon your description, I wouldn't be able to do it. But just based on the rest of the line-up here, this is exciting stuff. I'm looking forward to learning about Wayne seeing as he's in good company here with Brent and Claudio – fuck Nigel and his casually cookie-cutter heel role. Overall, this will be the fun part, because if Claudio wins, the wind is knocked out of his sails to win the title the next night. If Nigel wins, then everyone and their mother will know that Claudio is taking the title the next night. Brent isn't really a factor to take a win here, even with it being non-title. The only dark horse I'd be willing to bet on here is Damien just because it would speak volumes of how good he is and how he should fit in well with the ROH clique, but that aside, I'm willing to bet that Gabe gives us the ending that misleads us into the finish the next night.

Winner: Nigel "I'm a bland heel" McGuinness

Michael Bauer: This is a great way to preview Nigel vs. Claudio for Hammerstein and what happens here should influence tomorrow night. That said, Albright or Wayne takes the fall from one of these two title contenders. Since I strongly believe in the main event result for Saturday, I will just give you my pick here and explain later.

Winner: Nigel McGuiness

Jerome Cusson: Claudio sure as hell ain't winning this match because he's the challenger the next night and ROH's booking tendencies never have challengers for championships winning. Damien Wayne would be a nice surprise, but I don't think they have enough confidence in him yet. Sweet ‘n' Sour is probably going to somehow cost Albright the win, so I think Nigel gets the non-title victory here. This is going to be sort of like Bryan Danielson winning at International Challenge before losing his belt at Final Battle.

Winner: ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness

Samuel Berman: I'd like to think they'd give the new blood a win here, but Wayne probably isn't ready for a win over any of these guys yet. If Nigel wins by beating Claudio, it means the title's moving in New York, but the most likely result is probably Claudio pinning Wayne or Albright to give him alleged momentum heading into his title shot.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Ari Berenstein: I got no clue who's going to win, because it seems like everyone could benefit from the win. Even Virgina local Damien Wayne could get the W as a sort of upset beyond upsets. Albright could get the win on his own to fuel the Sweet & Sour split that seems to be occurring. That said, I think we go with lowest common booking denominator, and that is Claudio will get the win against Albright, reinforcing his number one contender status and sticking it to his enemies at The Inc. one more time, for old times sake.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

411 Staff Picks: Nigel McGuinness (3-2-0-1)

Bryan Danielson vs. Tyler Black
John Gregory: Tyler is quickly becoming ROH's new top star. Speaking on behalf of the Chicago wrestling scene, you're welcome. Danielson IS ROH's top star, and these two could have the Match of the Year on this night. I think Black is still too obsessed with the "revolution" of the AOTF to properly focus, and the Dragon will edge another out.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Jarrod Westerfeld: I still haven't seen the much acclaimed first encounter between these two, but I'm willing to bet this becomes the backup plan to the Danielson and Morishima feud that may not get a finish to it. I can see this becoming a tit-for-tat exchange where both men play up to the need for a rubber match, only for that to break down the boundaries of this being a mutual respect exchange into a blood thirty, blood driven brawl. Expect this thing to start getting personal.

Winner: Bryan "American Dragon" Danielson

Michael Bauer: Tyler Black gets another shot at Bryan Danielson as you can just sense Tyler Black is the next big thing to come out of Ring of Honor. But this is Bryan Danielson. He just doesn't lose against many people. Something tells me that doesn't change here.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Jerome Cusson: This match is a good indication of where we're heading. If Tyler Black wins, he's going to be breaking away from Age of the Fall to go on his own and challenge for the ROH world championship. If Danielson is wins, he's probably going to have another match with Nigel or his first ever match with Claudio in Ring of Honor for the belt. Up until a day or two ago, I would have said Dragon. Now I'm thinking Black because as a heel, he'll be a natural opponent for the future world champion.

Winner: Tyler Black

Samuel Berman: I think that after a handful of losses in the last six months that Danielson is done getting upset for a while. Black is fabulous in the ring and is almost assuredly being groomed for bigger and better things in the future, but he's not winning here.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Ari Berenstein: If Black is to win against Danielson, this would be the time to do it, seeing as how Age of the Fall is going large with their storyline. However, the more Jacobs becomes the epicenter of the story with Lacey, the more Black comes out as a clear second in command. Black needs to keep up with the Jonses, but Danielson needs to look good going into his challenge against Marufuji on Saturday… PLUS it's the debut in a new area and you'd want to keep the main man of the company (and that's Danielson) in good standing.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

411 Staff Picks: Bryan Danielson (5-1)

FIP World Champion Roderick Strong, Rocky Romero & Davey Richards vs. GHC Heavyweight Champion Takeshi Morishima, Naomichi Marufuji & Go Shiozaki
John Gregory: I'd love to give NRC the duke here, but it's just not to be.

Winner: Team NOAH

Jarrod Westerfeld: So the score for the No Remorse Corps is that they don't get love over the imports, and NOAH is willing to saddle up Morishima and Naomichi in the same ring as a unit after the Global Tag League that planted some seeds in Morishima's heel turn. Well, seeing as he's a heel here, already, you can see that rubbing his partners the wrong way and allowing them to fall apart at some point. The only one vulnerable in this match to allow NRC to go over is Shiozaki. Sorry Go, but you get to JOB.

Winner: No Charisma Corps – except Rocky, he has charisma.

Michael Bauer: No Remorse is on a slight downswing recently, which is never good. But looking at the other side of this match, you wonder how they can win. Overall, they are the heavy underdogs and this match really only helps foreshadow Strong and Go. And I want to be nowhere near that chop-fest.

Winners: Team Japan

Jerome Cusson: If the NRC is wrestling in some sort of all-star tag team match, it must be time for them to job. I believe we'll see some dissension in the ranks to further that angle along. Go Shiozaki, since he really hasn't earned a championship match of any sort, probably pins Roderick Strong to set up the next night.

Winner: Marifuji, Morishima, and Go Shiozaki

Samuel Berman: If the NOAH team loses, Go's taking the fall, that's for certain. That said, I don't think they're losing, especially with so much NOAH gold on that side of the ledger. Morishima pinning Richards is what I'm going to call, but this one's a toss-up in terms of the actual fall.

Winners: Takeshi Morishima, Naomichi Marufuji & Go Shiozaki

Ari Berenstein: This one is far more intriguing than it would appear on paper, and that's because of the politics involved. However, with NRC losing so often to international talent in six mans, you'd think one time it would swing the other way. But not this time.

Winners: The NOAH contingent

411 Staff Picks: Takeshi Morishima, Naomichi Marufuji & Go Shiozaki (5-1)


Rhett Titus & Rex Sterling vs. Mitch Franklin & Sean Denny is also scheduled on the undercard.

**

ROH Videowire: May 5th, 2008



Claudio BIG SWINGS dem LOGS!

**

SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2005 – MANHATTAN, NY

Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. Rocky Romero & Davey Richards
John Gregory: Steen and Generico win and drive NRC closer to Larry Sweeney's table.

Winners: Steenerico

Jarrod Westerfeld: What should've been for the titles is now just another display for Steen and Generico to showcase that they should be champions, right now. Hey, Gabe, just so you know, you dropped the ball on Steen and Generico last summer, don't drop it this summer.

Winner: El Steenerico

Michael Bauer: Steen and Generico may have finally hit that bump in the road in April, with Steen losing to Nigel twice and Generico losing in Ibushi's only win of his tour. Romero and Richards are also in a slide, losing the Tag Titles and just overall being punked out by Steen-erico week after week. Steen and Generico have more upside, so I'll go with them here.

Winners: Steen-erico

Jerome Cusson: Regardless of who the tag team champions are, I think Steenerico is taking the titles in Philadelphia on June 7th. That should make this match fairly easy to predict. If Steenerico doesn't win, I think this will be the one shocking upset of the night. This is that unpredictable of s show.

Winners: Kevin Steen and El Generico

Samuel Berman: I talked about this on the most recent edition of The Cool Kids' Table Podcast, but my pick for this one is going to be unorthodox, mostly because I think both teams would benefit from it in a big way. I'd like to see this issue continue and so I'm picking...

Winner: Time-Limit Draw

Ari Berenstein: Plain and simple, it should have been for the titles and this is where Steen & Generico should have won the titles. A victory here in a non title situation is the consolation prize, but ROH missed the boat here.

Winner: Steen & Generico

411 Staff Picks: Kevin Steen & El Generico (5-0-1)

Jack Evans & Jigsaw with Julius Smokes vs. Delirious & Pelle Primeau vs. Chris Hero & Brent Albright
Note: writers were asked to predict the team for Sweet & Sour Inc. before it was officially announced to be Albright & Hero.

John Gregory: I predict it'll be Chris Hero and Adam Pearce, who will DESTROY the two jobber teams they're in with.

Winners: Sweet N Sour Inc.

Jarrod Westerfeld: Sweet n' Sour has to have Chris Hero representing here the only question is who else do they team him up with? Pearce? I doubt that. Albright? More than likely. So we'll go with this, Hero and Albright once more. No matter what, though, I can see them eating a loss to Delirious and Primeau, who must be the son of God as he would have had to resurrect to get to this night considering the night before, further straining the relationship between Albright and Sweet n' Sour. Sorry Vulture Squad, I still see you disbanding in favor of BLK OUT taking over your role.

Winner: BAH~ BAH~ JOBBER~ (Delirious & Pelle Primeau)

Michael Bauer: Tag team scramble matches are always fun, but this one seems kinda weird. Forget that Pelle is involved, you have two teams of lightweight high flyers and the powerhouse Albright with Chris Hero. It just doesn't fully add up for some reason. Expect Johnny-Boy to get what is coming to him when he fucks with Julius and the Squad after they win.

Winners: The Vulture Squad

Jerome Cusson: I have no idea who's going to win this match. I think this is gonna be a very angle driven show with all kinds of twists and turns. I believe Sweet ‘n' Sour loses a member in Brent Albright after this match to set up a feud with Hero. I think Ruckus and possibly Julius Smokes are jumping over to BLKOUT. Delirious and Pelle Primeau actually look like the winners here if for no other reason then they're the only ones who may not be turned on or breaking up.

Winners: Delirious and Pelle Primeau

Samuel Berman: Eh, I could go with the Sweet 'n Sour team, but I'm not yet confident that ROH knows how to book Hero. I'll give the Vulture Squad the win here if only because they're probably the ones most in need of the victory. And though he's still very good in the ring, has anyone gotten less interesting over the last six months than Jack Evans?

Winners: Jack Evans & Jigsaw

Ari Berenstein: Hero & Albright can't win here because the dissention between "The Shooter" & Sweeney has to continue (although not come to a head right here). Delirious & Pelle could be the ol' Upset Special, but more likely Evans & Jig get the win for their adopted hometown area.

Winners: Evans & Jigsaw

411 Staff Picks: The Vulture Squad (3-2-1)

Roderick Strong defends vs. Erick Stevens vs. Go Shiozaki
John Gregory: Strong loses his title here, seeing not only the first ever two title changes in one ROH event, but establishing Go as a big star.

Winner and NEW FIP CHAMPION: Go Shiozaki

Jarrod Westerfeld: So basically, this is the finale between Stevens and Strong, correct? And this is a play on Sixth Anniversary, only instead of Necro, we get Go. Interesting. Probably won't be as blood thirsty as that Necro three way but nevertheless this should be fun just for the sake of Go adding another dimension of strength to the bout. The only question now is if the illegitimate child of KENTA and Toshikia Kawada goes 0 for 2 this weekend, or if he gets an upset victory here for the sake of balancing out the weekend – I hold my doubts.

Winner: Wodewick Stwong (RETAINS FIP World Championship)

Michael Bauer: This will be opener and with no time limit holding these guys back, it could steal the show early. Then again, that's wishful thinking. Stevens and Strong need to be eventually broken apart and that will happen after June's show and FIGHT WITHOUT HONOR! Go is in here as they hype up the pressure he is under to be successful and to take the pinfall. Strong retains as there is no chance of all three titles changing hands.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Jerome Cusson: I can't believe this is the opener. What a fantastic way to open the show. This could very well be the hardest hitting match of the entire show. With Stevens and Strong having a "Fight Without Honor" in June, their issue can sort of be put on the backburner. I don't think a second title change in the last six months of the FIP title at an ROH show is happening here. However with this being the opener and Steenerico against the other two members of the NRC coming right after, I think the NRC gets broken up and Strong is left on his own. Then Strong will complete a babyface turn after shaking hands with Stevens after the "Fight Without Honor."

Winner and still FIP World Champion: Roderick Strong

Samuel Berman: This is a rare case where it would seem that the champion could lose his belt without being pinned or forced into submission. If ROH wanted to move some gold to Shiozaki, this would be the place to do it, but I think there are more legs for a heel Strong in FIP, so I'll go with Roderick retaining.

Winner and STILL FIP World Heavyweight Champion: Roderick Strong

Ari Berenstein: Having been there to witness Strong vs. Stevens at Final Battle '07 and the three way with Necro at Sixth Anniversary Show, I can assure everyone this one will be loud, brutal and really fun to watch. That said, I feel Stevens vs. Strong will conclude within an FIP ring, so Strong will get the win here.

Winner: Roderick Strong to retain the FIP title.

411 Staff Picks: Roderick Strong (5-0-1)

Takeshi Morishima vs. The Necro Butcher
John Gregory: Oh you know who will win. His face will pay for it though.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima

Jarrod Westerfeld: I believe it was Jerome Cusson who said it in his cover work for Ari's Column of Honor – Morishima and Danielson set this up so that their opponent could get the win and set-up the argument that they should battle it out and determine a winner, politics aside. Necro will probably try his best to kill Morishima considering he, like Raven, plays only by his own rules, but I still see a BACKDROPDRIVER in Necro's future, and one so brutal, it may leave Colin Delaney wincing in pain and Mike Knox taking notes – in addition to his other hobby of hording old drugs.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima via BACKDROPDRIVER through the Hammerstein Ballroom.

Michael Bauer: Putting this match right after the intermission is an interesting choice as this match could be a slight letdown after Danielson vs. Marufuji is said and done with. The problem I have here is that this match is way too predictable. Morishima is the GHC Heavyweight Champion and Japan has a bit of a say as to what happens with him. Necro is in no way, shape, or form going to stand a chance here and that is a shame. Here's to me maybe doing a "Free Willy" chant.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima

Jerome Cusson: People have way too high of expectations for this match. I'm expecting something similar to Necro's matches with Joe in IWA or Dragon in PWG and back at Breakout. It's going to be short and violent. I'm also looking for a big ass brawl between Dragon and Morishima since this will be after Marifuji/Danielson. Then, look for an announcement saying these two will have a "Fight Without Honor" of their own whenever they return to Hammerstein.

Winner: Morishima

Samuel Berman: If Necro survives, he should count himself lucky.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima

Ari Berenstein: The fans wanted to see Necro hit Morishima as hard as he could, and that's what they'll get to see. But then Morishima will hit Necro as hard as he can, and the fans will get to see Morishima's hand raised in victory.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima

411 Staff Picks: Takeshi Morishima (6-0)

Bryan Danielson vs. Naomichi Marufuji
John Gregory: Oh hell yeah. Two of the best in the world. I predict Danielson goes 2-0 for the weekend, and dismantles Marufuji as a message to his eternal rival Morishima.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Jarrod Westerfeld: I pretty much already summed this up talking about Mori and Necro. Bryan and Marufuji will certainly bring down the house as the two work out the best match these two have had, possibly ever, together, and wind up with the decision of Bryan tapping out Marufuji with the Cattle Mutilation.

Winner: Bryan "I'm No Walmart Consumer Dragon" Danielson

Jerome Cusson: No way does Danielson go 0 for the biggest weekend in ROH history. I know Dragon won the first match-up between these two, but I can't see him losing. Not a chance. Both these guys have improved a lot since their last singles contest, so I'm looking forward to a really great match between two great wrestlers.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Michael Bauer: Putting this match on before the intermission is really, really gutsy as this match will be the best match of the night. Marufuji and Danielson have fought one time before, but Danielson was champion then at the end of 2005. With no title reign or defense to consider here, I think Marufuji gets his win back in what could very well be a Match of the Year candidate. Hammerstein, get ready for a classic.

Winner: Naomichi Marufuji

Samuel Berman: Marufuji's losses in ROH are few and far between, but one of them is to Danielson. I can see the logic in this being a case of long-term 50-50 booking, but like I said earlier, I think Danielson is done losing in an ROH ring for a while. It's close (possibly even another fluke roll-up to mirror their 2005 bout), but Danielson wins here.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Ari Berenstein: I am going to make my "out there" call for this match—this one ends in a 45 minute time limit draw. It may be the match that gets people talking the most about buying the DVD.

Winner: Time Limit Draw

411 Staff Picks: Bryan Danielson (4-1-1)

ROH WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES: Jay Briscoe & Austin Aries (c) defend vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black
John Gregory: A lot of people are predicting AOTF taking this one, but I don't see it that way. Jimmy is too unstable, too vengeful to focus on this title shot, especially with Aries in there. Briscoe and Aries will retain, and this will drive Jimmy further into madness while alienating Tyler from his leader.

Winner: Jay Briscoe and Austin Aries

Jarrod Westerfeld: Blood shall be spilt, even if it isn't Austin's, or Jimmy's. Jay already suffered once at the hands of the Age of the Fall, so the only question left now is will he fall against to their treachery as Austin reveals he was in on the whole act and Jimmy put on the performance of a life time to steal back the tag titles, or does he simply fall to Jimmy's rage, as he goes off and tries to kill Austin for stealing the love of his life? I don't care what the answer is, I'll be watching on with a shit-eating grin on my face just enjoying the carnage these four men unload upon each other. At the end of it, I see the tag titles finding their way home again, as Age of the Fall will capture gold, but Jimmy may not care for that glory as his focus will be centered around murder. Dark thoughts indeed from the ring-leader of this youth-uprising.

Winner: PANIC~ at the NECRO! (NEW ROH World Tag Team Champions)

Michael Bauer: I still don't like the chances for the mis-matched team of Briscoes and Aries. Granted, it's a great team and it makes full sense from the background of the people involved, but makeshift teams in the Indy world of wrestling are a lot different than the WWE or TNA. They generally don't work for very long and I don't see that trend stopping here. Bad break for the Briscoes here.

Winners: The Age of the Fall

Jerome Cusson: I could present to anyone reading this a whole bunch of scenarios why either team wins the belts here. But the reality is Jay Briscoe needs to defend the honor of his brother successfully and end this feud with Age of the Fall once and for all. When Mark comes back, you have him tie up a loose end with Jimmy Jacobs, but this feud has to stop and end with Jay being vindicated. This is what pro wrestling is about, the good guys ultimately winning. Now, I think Jacobs should spike Aries and kind of kick their feud off somehow, but I think Steenerico should get the chance to beat at least one of the Briscoes for the tag team titles.

Winners and still ROH World Tag Team Champions: Austin Aries and Jay Briscoe

Samuel Berman: I think this match has huge potential to be similar to last year's Jay Briscoe & Erick Stevens vs. Kevin Steen & El Generico match from April. There are a lot of storyline elements going on here (Mark's injury, Aries' new feud with Jacobs, Jacobs' meltdown, Black's emergence as a star, Jay picking Aries as his co-champion) that could come together into something very, very special. If I were booking, I would have Aries' hubris cost him the fall to Black, earning Jay's ire. Then I'd build towards a three-way feud pitting Jay against Jacobs against Aries while Black continues his ascendance to the top of the card. It would work perfectly as each guy would have legitimate issues with the others (Jay-Jacobs over Mark's injury, Jacobs-Aries over Lacey, Jay-Aries over Aries costing them the belts).

Winners and NEW ROH World Tag Team Champions: Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black

Ari Berenstein: They did it before in December and they're going to do it again now. Jacobs is going to massacre Aries and Briscoe is just in the way. Age of the Fall reclaims power in Manhattan.

Winners: The Age of the Fall to win the ROH World Tag Team Titles.

411 Staff Picks: The Age of the Fall (4-2)

ROH WORLD TITLE: Nigel McGuinness (c) defends vs. Claudio Castagnoli
John Gregory: I gotta say while I like where Gabe has tried to go with Nigel's reign, judging from the reaction to his title matches I've seen in Chicago, fans just don't see him as THE guy. Claudio, on the other hand, is a fresher champion. He wrestles differently than any ROH champion. And that to me will make it more memorable. HEY!

Winner and NEW ROH CHAMPION: Claudio Castagnoli

Jarrod Westerfeld: I said that if Nigel won the night before, expect Claudio to win here, but I'm banking on the ultimate slurve ball being thrown here – that killer curve and slider pitch is bound to strike out more men than it's going to be tanked for a home run. While everyone sits in awe of these two putting on a show that defines Claudio as a main event star for years to come, I just see Nigel walking out of this thing the winner and champion of the company until a true upstart competitor comes into the scene and defends the honor of ROH by taking the championship off of the man that has fallen from grace and has dishonored himself and the title with his antics as of late. Who that may be is still a tossup, but I will say that it's not Claudio, and no, it's not because he's a spokesman for Propecia.

Winner: Nigle McWAHWAH (RETAIN ROH World Championship)

Michael Bauer: Now to get back to my theory here. So Nigel pins one of those other two guys Friday, showing up Claudio in the process. This leads to Nigel trying to once again prove that Claudio is a second class wrestler as compared to him. But low and behold, Claudio shows the world he isn't just the "Hey" guy and not only takes Nigel to the limit, but he wins the match and the title, ending the tyranny of Nigel McGuiness and his unwillingness to give himself up for the people.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Jerome Cusson: Before I begin, I have a message for the New Yorkers who don't think this is worthy of being the ROH first main event held at Hammerstein. Screw you, you petulant spoiled children. There. Now I can move on.

So this is one of the biggest main events of all time in ROH. Nigel McGuinmess' title reign has certainly not been without controversy. In fact, thanks to unsympathetic asshole fans, bad luck with injuries, and Gabe's own booking, this has been one of the worst ROH title runs ever. I wish I could say better because I have a great deal of respect for Nigel. I think he's one of the good guys in this wretched business and the way he has personally been treated offends me greatly. With Claudio, there are so many fresh match-ups. He could wrestler Hero again in a match that really matters. He could wrestle Tyler Black. He could have his own rivalry with Kevin Steen, he could have a third match to break the tie with Marifuji. He could wrestle return matches with Nigel and have a first time ROH match with Bryan Danielson. I think the reason Nigel has such a quickie couple of matches with Steen was because they knew he was losing the world title here. It is now Claudio's time. I don't give a damn if this is the first time Claudio is challenging Nigel for the title. This last year has been building up this moment. He's busted his hump in so many matches. And how do you make a big splash in the Hammerstein ballroom? By changing the most prestigious title in the whole company. The fans have embraced Claudio, and it's time for the reign of Mr. Castagnoli to begin.

Winner and NEW ROH world champion: Claudio Castagnoli

Samuel Berman: I'd like to pick Claudio, but I just don't think it's going to happen here. Now all that's left is for ROH to decide whether they want this feud to continue (Nigel wins by cheating) or whether someone else is going to be the top challenger for a while (Nigel wins cleanly). I'd bet on the former, but I have very little confidence in that.

Winner and STILL ROH World Champion: Nigel McGuinness

Ari Berenstein: It was May 2005 and ROH's debut in NYC. It was at The New Yorker. Austin Aries vs. Alex Shelley in a grudge match for the title that was a long time in coming but had picked up a lot of steam by the time it went down. Many fans were expecting the title switch, but Aries retained. Three years later, its May 2008 and ROH gets ready for its big debut in the downstairs portion of the Manhattan Center. It's Claudio Castagnoli vs. Nigel McGuinness in a match a long time in coming but had picked up a ton of steam in the last two weeks. People are feeding off the buzz of a possible title switch, but I don't think its going to happen. Claudio will give it a great shot and come out looking like a contender, but Nigel will retain, being the face of the company and the man who fans will pay to see getting beat. ROH sold this show on a great card and the debut in the Hammerstein. They don't need to switch here, but they will build on this match to a rematch somewhere down the line, where things could be different for Claudio.

Winner: Nigel McGuiness to retain the ROH World Title.

411 Staff Picks: It's a Push! (3-3)

Also on this card, Larry Sweeney brings Johnny Fairplay and the Survivor Castoffs to Ring of Honor!


Thanks to all for contributing to this roundtable preview! 411 will continue with more Ring of Honor coverage of these events and more throughout the week!
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