411 ROH Roundtable Preview: Dayton & Chicago, June 27th and 28th, 2008

Posted by Ari Berenstein on 06.27.2008

The 411 staff gives its thoughts on this weekend’s Ring of Honor shows, including a grudge waiting to explode in Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Jacobs and the ROH champion goes title for title against the NWA champion. Our picks are inside!

Heyyyyy! ROHbots and Humanoids alike welcome back to the ROH Round table for the last week of June 2008 and the second of two double shot weekends over the course of the month. This week features grudge matches galore and key scenarios that can help to change the face of Ring of Honor during the course of the summer. It will be title for title when Ring of Honor's champion Nigel McGuinness fights against the National Wrestling Alliance's champion Adam Pearce. Sweet & Sour Incorporated has a vested interested in Pearce winning this one and completing the often threatened hostile takeover of the company. The next night sees the culmination (or is it just the beginning?) of the drama and angst between Austin Aries and The Age of the Fall's Jimmy Jacobs. Aries stole Lacey from Jacobs and Jacobs has vowed revenge. Plus, Jerry Lynn returns from a near four-year long absence to ROH to fight Nigel McGuinness in a non-title match. Ironically enough, McGuinness was Lynn's last opponent in ROH and now four years later we get the rematch. So who wins and who loses on this mid-west double shot? 411's writers and reviewers will prognosticate, starting with…

Jerome Cusson, Friends and South Park reviewer.

J.D. Dunn, reviewer emeritus at 411 and our current ROH DVD specialist.

Jarrod Westerfield, of Scripted Through Sin.

Samuel Berman, 411's Independent Draft Ambassador and our resident Cool Kid at the Roundtable.

...and me, Ari Berenstein, of Column of Honor.


**

One Year Ago: (results from ROHwrestling.com)
United We Stand from Dayton, OH 6/22/07
1. Kevin Steen & El Generico beat Irish Airborne (411 Mania Said: Kevin Steen & El Generico 7-0)
2. A gauntlet match saw Jimmy Rave beat Pelle Primeau; Delirious beat Rave; Delirous beat Adam Pearce; Chris Hero beat Delirious to win (411 Mania Said: Delirious)
3. Brent Albright beat BJ Whitmer 411 Mania Said: Brent Albright 4-3)
4. Roderick Strong & Davey Richards defeated Matt Crosss & Erick Stevens (411 Mania Said: Roderick Strong & Davey Richards 5-2)
5. Lacey beat Serena Deeb
6. KENTA defeated Rocky Romero (411 Mania Said: KENTA 7-0)
7. Bryan Danielson & Nigel McGuinness beat ROH World Champion Takeshi Morishima & Naomichi Marufuji (411 Mania Said: Bryan Danielson & Nigel McGuinness 5-2)
8. Jay & Mark Briscoe beat Claudio Castagnoli & Matt Sydal in a two out of three falls match to retain the ROH World Tag Team Titles (411 Mania Said: Jay & Mark Briscoe 7-0)

**

Driven, from Chicago Ridge, IL 6/23/07
1. Roderick Strong, Davey Richards, & Rocky Romero beat Erick Stevens, Matt Cross, & Delirious (411 Mania Said: Bryan Danielson 6-0)
2. Claudio Castagnoli beat Matt Sydal
3. Naomichi Marufuji beat BJ Whitmer (411 Mania Said: Naomichi Marufuji 6-1)
4. Brent Albright beat Pelle Primeau
5. Takeshi Morishima beat Jimmy Rave to retain the ROH World Title(411 Mania Said: Takeshi Morishima 7-0)
6. Jay & Mark Briscoe defeated Kevin Steen & El Generico to retain the World Tag Team Titles (411 Mania Said: Jay & Mark Briscoe 6-1)
7. Lacey & Rain beat Daizee Haze & MsChif
8. Nigel McGuinness beat Chris Hero (411 Mania Said: Nigel McGuinness 6-1)
9. Takeshi Morishima beat Adam Pearce to retain the ROH World Title
10. KENTA defeated Bryan Danielson (411 Mania Said: KENTA 4-3)
**

ROH from the Round

BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY
FRIDAY, JUNE 27TH, DAYTON, OH


Brent Albright vs. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Jay Briscoe
Jerome Cusson: These three have worked before in various tag team matches, so they should know each other well. I expect a good solidly worked match, but since there's no issue, it probably won't be as intense or have a lot of heat. At least Jay is getting a chance to work with good wrestlers and not just being stuck in four corner or other multi-man matches while his brother is out. Claudio will of course win, but I expect a good showing from these three.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

J.D. Dunn: Albright has been a bit of a wild card since the break-up of the Hangmen 3. Jay is getting a bit of a mild push. It's Claudio's world right now, though. I've been a big supporter of having one of the Briscoes join Sweet 'n' Sour to create some friction between them. This would be a great opportunity to do that (hint, hint).

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli
Jarrod Westerfeld: If this doesn't scream random, I don't know what does. You have two guys who are trapped in a feud with Sweet n' Sour Inc. and a wandering Briscoe brother all battling it out for…what? I'm certain this will be a fun match as you have three power wrestlers who are capable of tossing each other about, and hit with some extremely stiff shots, but as it stands this is just so random. I guess we bank on the former number one contender of the ROH World Championship, though everyone here could use a win to further their runs and their directions.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Samuel Berman: Everyone could use the win, which makes this multi-man match a nice change of pace from the run-of-the-mill ROH match. I think Claudio is a step beyond Jay and Albright right now, but they'll use this as Albright's springboard up the card.

Winner: Brent Albright
Ari Berenstein: This is a face vs. face vs. face match and as such I'm looking for a lot of back and forth to get the crowd into the action. I'm feeling Brent Albright and the rise to the upper card is coming up fast.

Winner: Brent Albright

411 Mania Picks: Claudio Castagnoli (3-2-0)


Shane Hagadorn & Bobby Dempsey vs. Mitch Franklin & Silas Young

Jerome Cusson: The only reason this match is here is so we can once again prove how incompetent and stupid Dempsey is. This whole angle has been going on for over a year, and it's kinda starting to get tiresome. Either have Dempsey turn and blow the thing off or kick him off the shows for a while. I expect a good showing from Silas Young and another victory so he can perhaps earn a spot on the roster.

Winner: Mitch Franklin and Silas Young
J.D. Dunn: I like Silas Young. Bobby Dempsey is a god among men. Like Buddha. Franklin and Young should go over here, barring chicanery, but with Hagadorn around, there's almost certainly going to be chicanery. Tough call. I'll go with the clear babyfaces on this one.

Winners: Franklin & Young
Jarrod Westerfeld: Its Bobby Dempsey and Shane Hagadorn, can I really buy that they'll work together well considering both are beating posts for their respective masters? I'm sure they'll lose just to give Sweeney a reason to blame Dempsey for constantly ruining his plans of progress, and slap him around while Shane just smiles like a twat. Just be grateful, Shane, that you're not that beating post otherwise you might be over.

Winner: Mitch Franklin & Silas Young

Samuel Berman: Don't care, other than to complain that Silas is getting bunched in with the students. Why not have him take on Pelle one-on-one?

Winners: Mitch Franklin & Silas Young
Ari Berenstein: Shane and Bobby can't get along. Mitch Franklin is small but has a few hot moves and Silas Young is someone who could fit in really well in the mid card of the roster. They're the more likely of the two teams to win, but really this match won't have much deep significance in the overall scheme of things.

411 Mania Picks: Mitch Franklin & Silas Young (5-0)


ROH World Tag Team Champion Tyler Black vs. Delirious
Jerome Cusson: Tyler Black will pick up his first singles victory in what feels like a dog's age. Delirious is really in jobberland at this point, and desperately needs something worthwhile to do. Feuding with Rhett Titus over Daizee Haze does not count.

Winner: Delirious
J.D. Dunn: Black is really starting to gain traction, especially after his PPV main event. Love-struck Delirious has had problems winning ever since becoming smitten with Daizee Haze. That makes this a pretty easy call.

Winner: Tyler Black
Jarrod Westerfeld: I certainly don't see Delirious walking out of this one a victor as Tyler is on a roll this year. This is his breakout year that defines him as a main event star for next year, so I see him easily defeating Delirious in this singles bout.

Winner: Tyler Black

Samuel Berman: Delirious could use the marquee win, but they're not going to jeopardize Black's heat in this match. By the way, if you didn't see it, ; The Cool Kids' Table had an interview with Tyler Black last week. And one with Jimmy Jacobs this week. Check them out!

Winner: Tyler Black

Ari Berenstein: This is Tyler Black's world and Delirious is just living in it.

Winner: Tyler Black

411 Mania Picks: Tyler Black (4-1)


ROH World Tag Team Champion Jimmy Jacobs & Joey Matthews with Allison Wonderland vs. Kevin Steen & El Generico
Jerome Cusson: The first of what should be two Steenerico victories comes here. I'm interested to see how this match turns out since Matthews is way different of a worker than Black. There won't be as much trademark double team stuff, but I think we'll get a very different type of match here. Steenerico will be slowed down but not stopped.

Winners: Steenerico
J.D. Dunn: A lot of people were shocked and disappointed that Steen & Generico didn't wind up with the title, but a chase really does make more sense. I don't think it will happen soon either. The bouncing tag titles have been an irritant to ROH fans, and they can stretch out Steen's chase for ROH gold using disappointment after disappointment until it looks like it's not going to happen. I can see this used as a jumping off point toward Steen & Generico's title shot, though.

Winners: Steen & Generico.
Jarrod Westerfeld: Joey Matthews is in this bout for a reason – he's eating the pin fall here. Kevin Steen and El Generico will certainly put on a champions type of performance here, further proving that they need the tag titles, while the tag titles continue to flounder about proving they need El Steenerico.

Winner: OLE! El Steenerico

Samuel Berman: Steen & Generico are going to need wins to legitimize any future shots at the tag belts, and this is the opportunity to give them a win without sacrificing either champion. Steen over Matthews would be my best guess.

Winners: Kevin Steen & El Generico

Ari Berenstein: Steen & Generico need to win against combinations of Age of the Fall in order to work themselves into title contention. I think they will do exactly that during this weekend's matches.

Winner: Steen & Generico.

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


Roderick Strong vs. Chris Hero
Jerome Cusson: Strong returns to being a babyface at long last. I wish Hero was still in goofy mode as opposed to trying to be super serial because I think this would be a lot more fun. Instead, we get another hard-hitting match filled with chops head knocking shots. Hero at least used to be able to change things up by acting like an assclown. As for a winner? Tough to say, but I'll go with Roderick since ROH is allergic to giving Hero big victories.

Winner: Roderick Strong
J.D. Dunn: I'm actually excited for Roderick's face turn. The irony is that they spent the first few months of 2008 turning him heel in FIP to bring him in line with his ROH character. Strong works much better as a babyface, and working with new, more serious Hero is a good matchup. ROH seems to be waffling on whether or not Hero or Adam Pearce will be the focal point of Sweet 'n' Sour. This result of this match might be a bellwether. If Hero wins, ROH's work toward turning him into a more heelish character instead of a wacky heel we love might pay off. It would also leave Strong treading water. I'll go with Hero because he's part of something bigger right now.

Winner: Chris Hero

Jarrod Westerfeld: Yet another guy who has a feud with Sweet n' Sour Inc. begins his road to getting some redemption, and this time the road starts off with Chris Hero despite the fact that he's done no wrong to this individual. Strong will be gunning after Larry Sweeney and Davey Richards, but for now he'll have to settle for unleashing some frustration out on Chris Hero, instead.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Samuel Berman: I wonder if Strong will officially turn face here. If not, the dynamics here will probably be headache-inducing. Sweet 'n Sour needs to continue to beat Strong down if his eventual match with Richards is to mean anything.

Winner: Chris Hero

Ari Berenstein: Chris Hero is far more serious these days and Strong is still in the intermittent period between officially turning face, whereby losing matches during this time frame is perfectly acceptable. Besides, Strong is a man without a country these days and without any backup he is outmanned and outnumbered against Sweney's troop.

Winner: Chris Hero
411 Mania Picks: Chris Hero (3-2)


Bryan Danielson vs. Erick Stevens
Jerome Cusson: In their first match back in January, I was slightly disappointed with the pace of the match and the false finish. I think Dragon's ability to work with anyone always equals a great match. But I think for Stevens, He really needs the kind of main event effort he's shown against Roderick Strong in ROH and FIP. I think a great match here really sets Stevens up for big summer and fall of 2008. Since the fans haven't been as receptive to his hardwork and he's been restricted to cutting cookie cutter babyface promos, he's just gotta keep chugging away until he earns the respect of the fans. Oh, Danielson gets his win back too.

Winner: Bryan Danielson
J.D. Dunn: The fans have a hard time taking Stevens seriously because he's always portrayed as a dumb babyface. I like that character for FIP and anywhere outside the Northeast, but fans are more apt to roll their eyes than be outraged every time Stevens gets cheated. Danielson, on the other hand, has a bit of buzz thanks to his will he/won't he WWE appearance. It wouldn't surprise me if they take advantage of that and turned him heel (more so) here by cheating Stevens to get his win back.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Jarrod Westerfeld: Stevens scored a victory over Danielson in January when it looked like Erick would be given the keys to the ROH universe, but now that reality has settled in and he's back to being just that powerhouse mid card attraction, he'll be eating a loss here against the American Dragon.

Winner: "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson

Samuel Berman: Should be a great match as Danielson gets his win back to continue his pursuit of Nigel. Stevens needs a new angle now that the rivalry with Strong is over in ROH. How about programming him with Jay Briscoe?

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Ari Berenstein:One other thing to keep in mind is the main storyline of Dragon having to defeat all of the wrestlers ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness has defeated in order to show he deserves a title match. McGuinness defeated Stevens at "Bedlam in Beantown". Now Danielson will do the same.

Winner: "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson

411 Mania Picks: Bryan Danielson (5-0)


Austin Aries vs. The Necro Butcher
Jerome Cusson: Hmmm, anyone think this'll be relaxed rules? I have no interest in Necro as a Ring of Honor roster member anymore. With Aries having the big grudge match the next night, no way Aries loses.

Winner: Austin Aries
J.D. Dunn: The whole idea of this Aries-Jacobs-Lacey triangle is for Aries to tear through the Age of the Fall from the bottom up. There's no way he loses with the Golden Fleece being in his reach the following night.

Winner: Austin Aries

Jarrod Westerfeld: Seeing as Necro plays by his own rules, this will be a bloody brawl. Aries isn't out to kill Necro, he's out to kill Jacobs and seeing as he doesn't get him here, Necro will have an advantage. Too bad that Necro is usually on the receiving end of a loss, and that Austin needs a win to roll into his bout with Jacobs the next night. So Necro gets to take crazy bumps and die here, as per usual.

Winner: Austin Aries

Samuel Berman: The only question here is how many chances Aries will take leading into his main event bout with Jacobs in Chicago. Necro's matches in ROH all run together, so hopefully they take this opportunity to have him do something a little bit different, like something similar to his match with Nigel from BOLA '07 in PWG.

Winner: Austin Aries
Ari Berenstein: This is a unique combination, but will likely result in the same type of Necro match we've seen for some time, unless Aries is feeling it and wants to improvise a bit. Aries wins the match after getting bloodied up, and then Jacobs will come out after the match to pound on Aries some before their match tomorrow.

Winner: Austin Aries

411 Mania Picks: Austin Aries (5-0)

ROH Title vs. NWA Title Match: ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness vs. NWA World Heavyweight Champion Adam Pearce with Larry Sweeney
Jerome Cusson: I hate this match for very many reasons. Let's go over them one at a time, shall we?

1. Adam Pearce has done nothing to deserve an ROH world title shot.
2. Nigel McGuinness has done nothing to deserve an NWA world title shot.
3. Pearce winning the ROH title makes zero sense for Ring of Honor and its' fans. In fact, Pearce has lost just about every match he's been in the last few months.
4. Nigel McGuinness winning the NWA title make zero sense for the NWA and wanting to add prestige to its' title.
5. The legacy of the NWA title means jackshit since the belt really hasn't meant anything since Ric Flair held it. It's just another indy title.
6. The FIP title could have served the same purpose, and Roderick Strong could finally have something interesting and worthwhile to do as a heel.

And since Nigel nor Pearce is winning the other's championship…

We get a stupid finish no matter what. If they do a 60 minute draw, I would expect and encourage the Dayton fans to riot in boredom. If they announce count-outs can be used as means of victory, there's a red flag right there. Or they could just do a big schmozz no-contest. I'm just gonna say they do that since that makes the most logical sense to me.

Winner: No-contest
J.D. Dunn: I guess the swerve here would be a clean finish and title change because *no one* seems to be predicting that. Nigel is really drawing heat as a champion, and it makes no sense for him to lose the title right now. Pearce likely won't lose his title either. On the other hand, you risk *really* pissing off the fans for whom ROH is supposed to be a different kind of promotion without wrestling's carny tricks. That's why I think ROH and the NWA will go in the complete opposite direction and piss *everyone* off by calling the match on the over-the-top DQ rule.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness by DQ.

Jarrod Westerfeld: I'm excited to see this. I'm also interested to see what they do with this, though I know there won't be an actual decision to move any of the titles, which bothers me. But if I were to make a move, it would be Pearce picking up the win here and giving Sweet n' Sour Inc. the most important bargaining chip in his move to take over the company. Oh well, this bout could be used to cause doubt about Nigel's future as a champion, as well as cause doubt about Pearce's future as the NWA World Champion. This bout will probably end with a no contest thanks to Sweeney's persistence to involve himself.

Winner: No Contest

Samuel Berman: I'll only be pleased here if the whole thing gets booked as a big angle and Nigel ends up with both belts while joining up with Sweet 'n Sour. Otherwise I don't understand the point in booking this at all. I'll go with the more traditional theory for my official pick.

Winner: Double Disqualification (McGuinness retains ROH World Title and Pearce retains NWA World Heavyweight Title)

Ari Berenstein: NEW CHAMPION! Okay...well, maybe not.The other staffers are thinking the no contest ends in a large brawl or a DQ, but I'm thinking we get to the same point via a different manner. Both men will have each other down for a three count, but both wrester's shoulders' will be on the mat, thus there will be no conclusive winner and both men will have a right to claim a future title rematch.

Winner: Double pin or contested finish

411 Staff Concensus Pick: no contest or disqualification of some variety



**

ROH Videowire: June 24th, 2008





**

VENDETTA II
SATURDAY, JUNE 28TH, CHICAGO RIDGE, IL
Delirious vs. Rhett Titus vs. Silas Young vs. Alex Payne

Jerome Cusson: Delirious and Titus have the issue here, so their interaction should be interesting. Daizee Haze will also likely be there whoring herself out too. Young looks like he could actually win two matches this weekend, and that could be very important for him going forward. Payne is over for some godawful reason in Chicago, but he usually never wins. I think Young picks up his second victory with Delirious and Titus being distracted.
Winner: Silas Young

Jarrod Westerfeld: Alex Payne doesn't matter in this bout, nor does Silas Young. The focus will be all on Delirious and Rhett Titus as the two will probably be treating this as their way to impress Daizee Haze. With that in mind, I see Delirious getting the upper hand on Rhett, but still taking the loss as Rhett finds a way to steal up a win over one of the other two men involved in this four way.

Winner: Rhett Titus

Samuel Berman: More opening match nonsense. Should be interesting to see the Delirious-Titus-Haze storyline advance, though.

Winner: Silas Young

Ari Berenstein: I like Jarrod's prediction and I'm echoing that sentiment.

Winner: Rhett Titus

411 Mania Picks: Silas Young or Rhett Titus (2-2-0-0)


Jay Briscoe vs. Erick Stevens
Jerome Cusson: This should be a good little match. It'll get Stevens a win for the weekend and Briscoe another solid match. Nothing much more then a solid second or third match.

Winner: Erick Stevens

J.D. Dunn: I think this lends more credence to something happening with Briscoe during the three-way the night before.

Winner: Erick Stevens

Jarrod Westerfeld: Jay Briscoe will not go this entire weekend without a single victory, especially against a man who has woken up to the reality that he's a mid card attraction.

Winner: Jay Briscoe

Samuel Berman: Hey, look, Stevens getting programmed with Jay. Shocking. Let's go with something weird to extend the 'let's earn each other's respect' issue.

Winner: Time Limit Draw

Ari Berenstein: These two have done very well as teammates and I get the feeling they'll give us a good singles match. Expect some smash mouth moves and some fighting spirit from both men. I don't see how Jay gets the J-Driller on Stevens, so I think Stevens wins this one.

Winner: Erick Stevens
411 Mania Picks: Erick Stevens (3-1, 1 Draw)


Lights Out Match: Chris Hero with Larry Sweeney & Jonny Fairplay vs. Pelle Primeau
Jerome Cusson: Chris Hero better win, and he better knock Pelle out in less than ten. This "feud" is really beneath Hero, and ROH needs to actually do something with him.

Winner: Chris Hero

J.D. Dunn: I do not see this going well for Pelle. Johnny Fairplay might take a beating though. I'm all in favor of that.

Winner: Chris Hero

Jarrod Westerfeld: Uhm…what was it that I said the last time Hero fought against Pelle Primeau? Oh, right…Hero wins VIA MURDER~!

Winner: Chris Hero

Samuel Berman: The match is stupidly named, but that's neither here nor there. Pelle has clearly bitten off more than he can chew, and the match result will prove it.

Winner: Chris Hero

Ari Berenstein: I like the mini-feud with Pelle and Hero performs very well in matches against underdogs, usually giving us somehting entertaining AND putting over the opponent through that person's hard effort and determintation. That said, unless this is where Dempsey shakes the yoke off of himself and helps Pelle win, its a Chris Hero win via KO.

Winner: Chris Hero

411 Mania Said: Chris Hero (5-0)

Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. Tyler Black & The Necro Butcher
Jerome Cusson: Whereas the first match between AOTF and Steenerico will be slightly more cerebral , this is gonna be utter chaos with all kinds of wacky brawling and highspots. Either way, the result will be the same. But at least we'll get two different types of matches.

Winners: Kevin Steen and El Generico

J.D. Dunn: Steen is on the warpath, and I think this will be part of his quest toward the ROH Tag Titles. If they're building to a big tag title match, Steen & Generic certainly have to go over here.

Winners: Steen & Generico
Jarrod Westerfeld: Unlike the previous night where Joey Matthews eats the pin fall for the team, I see Tyler Black being too big a deal to allow this team to simply just lose to Steen and Generico. For that reason, alone, I see Tyler basically carrying this team onward to victory, stealing one from under the uncrowned champions of the tag division. This will be the match everyone will expect to go El Steenerico's way, but it not doing so as Tyler continues his roll of a superstar in the making.

Winner: Tyler Black & Necro Butcher

Samuel Berman: Another win over a champion without having to beat the actual champions is just what the doctor ordered to set up a big rematch down the line.

Winners: Kevin Steen & El Generico

Ari Berenstein: Necro takes the fall due to Steen & Generico using their super team manuevers. It will place Team Ole in the number one contendership, just in time for their debut in Toronto, Canada.

Winner: Kevin Steen & El Generico

411 Mania Picks: Kevin Steen & El Generico (4-1)


NWA World Champion Adam Pearce & a mystery partner with Larry Sweeney vs. Roderick Strong & Brent Albright
Jerome Cusson: If it's Silas Young, I will be this close to throwing my chair in the ring. My prediction is Chuck Taylor. I have no logical reason for saying this. None. Zero. But it would be a shock and an interesting surprise. Plus, he's a Midwest guy too. Either way, Strong and Albright get the win.

Winners: Strong and Albright

J.D. Dunn: Pearce seems to have become the focal point of S&S Inc.'s takeover. The mystery partner could either be someone who has a history with Strong & Albright, or it could be someone from Pearce's non-ROH career. I'm leaning toward the latter with Joey Ryan.

Winner: Pearce & MP

Jarrod Westerfeld: I haven't a clue who Pearce's tag partner will actually be, nor do I want to venture to guess as no matter what we'll be disappointed by the decision. For example, I could see this being Pearce and Eddie Edwards teaming up, or even Chris Hero, which just kind of makes the whole "mystery partner" scheme seem so wasted here. But I can't imagine who else would play as Pearce's tandem for this bout against Strong and Albright, two guys looking for some vengeance on Sweet n' Sour Inc. But you know what? I'll go out and say it – BJ Whitmer. Why the fuck not?

As for the match itself, I see Strong and Albright coming short on their redemption here, as Pearce now has a tool to make himself feel more important than what he was before.

Winner: Adam Pearce & His Mystery Partner (BJ Whitmer)

Samuel Berman: I went out on a limb elsewhere and picked Danny Daniels as a hired gun for Sweet 'n Sour. I'll stick with that here, because it's not going to hurt anyone if I'm wrong. Anyway, Strong & Albright go over the mystery partner when Pearce walks out in frustration.

Winners: Roderick Strong & Brent Albright

Ari Berenstein: Don't be expecting new talent--its going to be Eddie Edwards. Strong and Albright won't get revenge just yet, but by the end of the match Strong may have a definitive new ally in his war against The Inc.

Winner: Adam Pearce & Partner (Edwards)
411 Mania Picks: Adam Pearce and the partner of international mysteriocity (3-2)

Bryan Danielson vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Jerome Cusson: One can only hope they don't try and recapture the magic of their PWG headlock show-off. I personally wouldn't mind it because it would be an interesting experiment, but I think the rest of the crowd would get a little restless. I wish they would just announce this as a number one contender's match and be done with it. That way, we could add a little something to what surely should be a great night of action. I have high expectations considering who's involved, and I'm expecting Dragon's march to another title shot to continue here.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

J.D. Dunn: If they play up Danielson's WWE appearance, this might just become a loyalty battle with Claudio sticking up for ROH. Either way, I think they'll want to keep Claudio strong. I think he'll take it in what might be considered a bit of an upset.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Jarrod Westerfeld: Both were noted as getting wins on the previous night by myself, and both are title contenders. This is also a bout that Danielson needs a win to continue his storylined feud with Nigel, so a loss here sets him back, which is something I don't see ROH doing as I'm sure they'll be looking to give us Danielson and McGuinness once more.

Winner: "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson

Samuel Berman: Danielson's road to a rematch continues with a win over Claudio. I hope they tease a 12-minute long headlock as a nod to astute fans who have seen their PWG contest.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Ari Berenstein: Claudio could sorely use a win against a guy the calbre of Danielson and it could add more depth to the storyline that Danielson must defeat all of those who Nigel defeated by forcing a rematch down the line sometime during the summer. I'm likely wrong but I'd like to see Claudio win with the Ricola bomb.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

411 Mania Picks: Bryan Danielson (3-2)


ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness vs. Jerry Lynn (non-title)
Jerome Cusson: I am looking forward to this match a lot because I'm a huge admirer of Jerry Lynn. He is the kind of veteran presence ROH needs to bring in to really slow the pace of matches down so they don't all revert to spotfests. Joey Matthews is a very solid competitor, but I think you need someone on the babyface side of things as well to work with guys like Black, Hero, and of course Nigel in this match. He's shouldn't be beating the champion, but I could see them going a good 15 minutes before McGuinness wins.
Winner: Nigel McGuinness

J.D. Dunn: Lynn is just coming in for a few spot shows, not as a regular wrestler, as I understand it. There's no reason to weaken McGuinness with a loss here, even if it is non-title.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Jarrod Westerfeld: Nigel can afford a loss here giving us the thought of him, much like Danielson before him, going into a somewhat dream match against Lynn for the title later on. But do I really think they'll go that route? Probably not, but either way, I could see another bout between these two down the road.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Samuel Berman: I wouldn't have booked Jerry Lynn in the first place, but it's good that this is non-title. Hopefully Lynn brings his A-game and can keep up with McGuinness, who's been white-hot lately.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness.

Ari Berenstein: They last fought against one another in ROH four years ago for the "At Our Best" event. I'd love to see Lynn make more appearances in the future, but for now this will be a terrific match that will put over Nigel in a similar fashion to when Bryan Danielson and Lance Storm fought it out in 2006.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness.

411 Mania Picks: Nigel McGuinness (5-0)


Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Jacobs

Jerome Cusson: We've got a great opportunity to have the kind of I_fail feud that ROH needs to really separate itself from the rest of the pack. To me, Aries is the ROH wrestler of the year. Jacobs isn't the best in-ring talent, but in an environment like this I think he can be successful. This won't be a technical masterpiece, but a big old brawl. I bet this breaks down into a big brawl with other AOTF members and Jay Briscoe becoming involved to set up their tag match next month. Although I don't like this idea, I think Jacobs wins with some sort of interference because the best feuds have the face chasing that elusive win.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs

J.D. Dunn: Lacey's MySpace now has a blog entry inviting you to contribute to the Find Lacey Fund. I have a theory that the Lacey/Aries relationship was all part of Jacobs plan in the first place - giving Aries something he wants and then yanking it away so he knows how it feels to be downtrodden. I think Aries comes out on top, but he might lose his soul (so to speak).

Winner: Austin Aries

Jarrod Westerfeld: This will be bloody and there will be no remorse here, but I don't think there'll be a clear cut winner here, either. I won't say this will be a no contest, but I can see Age of the Fall getting involved stacking the odds against Aries as Jacobs walks away with a dubious victory under his belt, only for Aries to throw this in his face as he points out that Jacobs can't beat him by himself – that he needs his minions to aid him.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs

Samuel Berman: This should be a fantastic first chapter to their feud, and I think they'll go the more traditional route by giving Jacobs the opening win, rather than do the stupid reverse booking that ROH often employs (let the face win, but then the heel beats them down afterwards). I'm sure that with the main event spot officially secured, Jacobs and Aries are going to bring their absolute best to Chicago.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs
Ari Berenstein: I have no idea what they'll do, but there are plenty of possibilities to carry this one past this match and throughout the rest of the summer. I'll say Jacobs chokes out Aries with the End Time in a brutal fight. Jacobs might want to do more to Aries after the match but ROH officials and wrestlers will likely stop him from inflicting further harm.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs

411 Mania Picks: Jimmy Jacobs (4-1)


Be sure to visit 411 over the weekend for the results from the shows and all of the fallout. We'll see you next time on the Roundtable!
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