Column of Honor: 08.02.08: Death Before Column of Dishonor III Part Two

Posted by Ari Berenstein on 08.02.2008

The Money Players of June and July 2008 as well as the ROH Stockmarket report are featured in this part…PLUS SHIMMER Volume 17 and 18 in-depth reviews, a preview of tonight’s ROH Death Before Dishonor VI in New York City, reader feedback and more!

The Money Players: June/ July 2008

Who are the money players? In the sports industry, money players are the athletes who are making the right plays at the right moments.

In wrestling, the concept of the money player is not all that different. The wrestler who has a great match or gives an impressive impression upon the audience ups their worth to the wrestling promoter. While you may be helping your team, you are also helping yourself and your career.

Let's see who's hot, who's not, who's making those key plays and who is dropping the ball, so to speak in Ring of Honor.


Money Players of the Month—June 2008

-Age of the Fall (AOTF) / Austin Aries (ARES) : I just know that both Jimmy Jacobs and Austin Aries would hate to share the honors right now for being the money players of the month, but tough for them because they're it. Age of the Fall earned back the ROH World Tag Team Titles with their run over three top teams at Up For Grabs and caused such hate and such heat with the crowd that fans are throwing trash at them after their matches. Throwing garbage in a ROH show has always been a source of controversy and discussion. However, even though the announcers always say that throwing something at a wrestler is prohibited, you know it smells like money for those running the show in ROH. When a crowd hates you that much, they'll pay the cost of admission to come to see you be defeated. Austin Aries, meanwhile, has come into this feud against Jacobs and company with a deadly serious attitude and a mission statement. He is focused on showing Jacobs is a fraud and a hypocrite. His efforts, including going all out in a bloody brawl during Vendetta II show that Aries is just the right man to put up against Jimmy Jacobs and have the crowd back him on his mission to defeat The Age of the Fall.

Money Players of the Month— July 2008

-Kevin Steen (KSTN) / Lance Storm (STRM) : When you're looking to debut in a new city, much less a new country, you need to know that you have some attendance draws. Kevin Steen & Lance Storm were those money players for ROH's debut in Canada. Kevin Steen challenged unsuccessfully for the ROH World Title in Toronto, but the large crowd of fans rabid for ROH action were eager to support their fellow Canadian. A healthy dose of the Candaian National Anthem helped to embolden Steen's cause. Meanwhile, Lance Storm provided not just autographs but also in-ring action for his countrymen. Storm has said repeatedly that he is not going to wrestle a match anytime soon, but that didn't mean he couldn't become physically involved during the show. It was practically expected and he came through, engaging Sweet & Sour Inc. and giving Larry Sweeney and Chris Hero some just desserts via a Canadian Maple Leaf single leg crab hold.


The Money Players of 2008:
July 2008: Kevin Steen (KSTN) / Lance Storm (STRM)
June 2008: The Age of the Fall (AOTF) / Austin Aries (ARES)
May 2008: The Age of the Fall / Jimmy Jacobs (AOTF)
April 2008: Motor City Machine Guns (MCMG)
March 2008: Dragon Gate
February 2008: Kevin Steen (KSTN) & Go Shiozaki (GOGO)
January 2008: Erick Stevens (CHOO)


ROH STOCK INDEX


Breadwinners STOCK UP!

-Nigel McGuinness (NIGE): The ROH World Champion is still the primary money leader in the company and right now he is looking unstoppable. While right now he might be maxing out his stock market worth, Nigel is constantly assuring his investors he will continue to be the champion for a long time to come—his next goal would have to be surpassing the fifteen month mark for his title reign. It is the streak of his greatest rival Bryan Danielson. Economists are predicting that these two are once again on a collision course for who is the number one brand on the market.

-Rhett Titus (TTUS) & Delirious (DELI): Investors are impressed with both of these wrestlers and are valuing them as good pick ups for a stock portfolio concentrating on performance and consistent gains in improvement. TTUS and DELI have worked excellently well together as of late, although their long term partnership potential is a bit unsure. Language barriers may prove to be their undoing, but I guess that's why there are translators.

-Kenny Omega (OMGA): Consumers and Market Watchers alike were impressed with his young and flashy whiz-kid from the streets. A fantastically positive performance in his first week on the charts has led us to declare OMGA a hot property.

-Silas Young (JRNY): Securing music rights to "Don't Stop Believing" turned out to be a godsend for Young's brand name and awareness. Customers are responding to the marketing slogan and the message, while investors are liking the returns and dividends they see from this stock's performance on Ring of Honor shows.


Loss Leaders STOCK DOWN!

-Go Shiozaki (GOGO): GOGO merging with Sweet & Sour Inc. initially looked to be a positive for this foreign company's future on the market. Instead Go Shiozaki has been losing his recent matches and seems to be even more stuck in the middle of the index.

-Sweet & Sour Inc. (SNSI): Speaking of, a once hot and steady market earner has now seemingly turned cold, even with new additions and the wheeling and dealing of their CEO Larry Sweeney. Bringing the NWA Heavyweight Title may have been a masterstroke of marketing for The Inc, but the champion (Adam Pearce) was suspended and lost some momentum off the cruel and unpopular actions of burning his competition…literally. Chris Hero, the prime-time player of The Inc. has also been stuck in traction, winning a majority of his matches but against less impressive competition that before. The Inc. also lost its hold in the women's market, as Sara Del Rey's loss of the SHIMMER title means there is one less marketing tool to use. New acquisition Davey Richards has been building up capital in foreign investments, but domestically The Inc. may be in trouble. All signs point to The Inc.'s bid for a hostile takeover not working out.

-Brent Albright (ALBR): The one man who has been hurt by Sweet & Sour Inc.'s hostile business practices was Brent Albright, the man who broke out from The Inc. looking to make his own mark on the index. The investors loved his moxie, but now he's going to have to prove that he can roll with the punches and work his way back up the index with solid performances and perhaps championship victories.


Trendsetters

-Necro Butcher (NCRO): Proving the song from Fleetwood Mac to be true, Necro showed that he could go his own way by dumping both Jimmy Jacobs and Austin Aries off of the ladder at the recent PPV taping. Necro showed that deep down, he is his own man and his own boss. He doesn't have to take orders from anyone. This is the kind of confidence that takes wrestlers to the top. Now that the market knows Necro has that self-belief, the market will reciprocate in kind by backing him up as a good investment.


Evaluations On

-Roderick Strong (STNG): Short term setbacks and a sell off of stock could have hurt Strong this past month. However there is hope of a comeback. He may have lost the No Remorse Corps and his FIP World Heavyweight Title, but ironically, liquidating those assets may have freed Strong for the long term. Now Strong can concentrate on his own goals and set his own path, which at this point includes finding a measure of revenge against the Sweet & Sour Agency brand.

-Bryan Danielson (ADBD): Danielson was in a bit of a market freefall for most of June with losses against competitors where expectations were he would prove dominant. However, wins in July have stabilized his brand value and market placement. He has clear goals to achieve in Q3 and is well on his way to achieving them. He has just defeated Tyler Black on Pay Per View, and Go Shiozaki should be next on his way back up to the top of the index and his ultimate goal of becoming the ROH World Champion.

-Claudio Castagnoli (CAST): Up until July 26th, the sky was the limit for this brand. Investors were impressed by this veteran of money making men and his rise to the top ranks of Ring of Honor. Great in ring performances were expanding the profit of the Double C Corp. However, when CAST said he would leave ROH if he did not win the ROH World Title, it created a cloud of concern among his board members.. Claudio Castagnoli lost that title match, leading to an uncertain future for his brand and his placement on the market.


Future Outlooks

(+) POSITIVE: Delirious (up), Erick Stevens (way up), Austin Aries, Brent Albright, Jigsaw, Rhett Titus, Nigel McGuiness, Jay Briscoe, Mark Briscoe (up), Naomichi Marufuji, Bryan Danielson, Roderick Strong, Silas Young, Kenny Omega

(/) NEUTRAL: Chris Hero (down), Adam Pearce (down), Kevin Steen (down), El Generico (down), Go Shiozaki (down), Davey Richards (down), Eddie Edwards, Shane Hagadorn, Jason Blade, Sal Rinauro, Kenny King

(-) NEGATIVE: Claudio Castagnoli (down), Rocky Romero (down), Julius Smokes, Tank Toland, Ruckus, Jack Evans, Pelle Primeau

Added: Kenny Omega, Silas Young, Mark Briscoe
Dropped: Hallowicked, Bobby Fish, Matt Cross

Found on the Black Market: Age of the Fall, BLK OUT, Ninja White & Ninja Yellow


Penny Stocks
Looking for a cheap bargain? This is the place to speculate on the next possible big things…but look out; there could also be a few duds here.

--More than a penny for your thoughts
Pelle Primeau (PPRM)
Shane Hagadorn (HAGA)
Julius Smokes (SMOK)
Jason Blade (BLAD)
Eddie Edwards (EDED)
Rhett Titus (TTUS)--The thrust is a must for Titus, and that thrust has boosted him up the stock ranks.
Kenny King (KKNG)--Looking to be a player in the second half of 2008, but the King will have to take on the Dragon and that's no small task.

--Still just one cent
Eddie Osiris (EOSI)
Mitch Franklin (MFRN)
Bobby Dempsey (BDEM)--Rolling up into a ball won't impress the market any.
Alex Payne (PAYN)--Surprisingly winning a majority of his recent pre show matches could lead sugarfoot to the promised land of being more than a penny stock.
Dingo (DNGO)

Closing Thoughts / Ring the Bell: The original Mr. Moneybags of the ROH Stockmarket, Claudio Castagnoli was scheduled to be the bell ringer to end this month's look at the stockmarket, but he has apparently no showed. So until next time, the market is now closed.


ROH Preview: Death Before Dishonor VI, Manhattan, NY August 2nd, 2008

7:30 pm belltime
Manhattan Center (Hammerstein Ballroom)
311 West 34th St.
New York, NY 10001

ROH World Title Four Way Elimination Match
ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness vs. Bryan Danielson vs. ROH World Tag Team Champion Tyler Black vs. Claudio Castagnoli

McGuinness is going to feel the pressure getting closer now with three of his toughest opponents all in the same match fighting it out with one mission in mind—become the ROH World Champion. Black is super motivated to fulfill his potential and bring the title home to Age of the Fall. Danielson gets his look at the title without having to fulfill McGuinness's mandate of winning out on PPV. Castagnoli is the X-factor here having no showed the Honor Rumble. Will he do the same here with a guaranteed title shot in his back pocket? If he does show up, will his head be in the game?

McGuinness is going to have to go all "Survivor" here—outwit, outlast and outplay. He needs to make sure his opponents become distracted with each other, allowing him to take advantage of opportunities to eliminate his opponents. It's the "Chris Hero" school of winning elimination matches, but then again, its proven to have worked before. Danielson for his part must not get consumed with Tyler Black, who has been a frequent opponent as of late and could be in his head.

It's a possible title switch situation with three possible stories coming to a happy conclusion. Either a man down on his luck comes through in the clutch, a man gets revenge on a rival and the chance to hold the mantle of being the best in the world once more, or a man pulls off an upset of the year and becomes one of the youngest champions in ROH history. Or…Nigel McGuinness can play spoiler to all the championship dreams and remain champion.

NWA World Heavyweight Title Match
Adam Pearce defends vs. Brent Albright

Albright seems to have recovered from the injury sustained due to taking a fireball from Pearce and is looking to bowl right over his former partner on the way to becoming NWA Champion. Pearce has been gloating on his internet podcast about how much damage he had done to Albright, but he better not overlook his opponent here. Albright is going to want to tear him apart and unless he has some tricks up his sleeve we could be looking at a new NWA champion when the night is through.

Dream Tag Team Challenge
Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. The Motor City Machine Guns of Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin

This was one of the matches that many fans were clamoring to see when the Machine Guns were originally scheduled to appear in April. We didn't know then that they would be back in the summer to take on some more of Ring of Honor's best teams, but here they are. Both teams need a win if they want to have the right to cash in on a title shot against The Age of the Fall. Both teams have their motives for fighting that particular team for the titles (Shelley's past history with Jacobs and the MCMG's recent loss to AotF; Steen & Generico lost the finals of the recent tag tournament to Jacobs & Black). Look for both teams to use their double teams to the utmost advantage. Shelley & Sabin will want to speed up the tempo of the match, but Steen will likely want to ground them as much as possible. You can't overlook's Generico's incredible stamina. He can take a whupping and come back as determined and as able as possible to win the match. We're looking at a very even fight here, but someone's gotta come out on top.

Three-Way Match
Austin Aries vs. The Necro Butcher vs. Jimmy Jacobs

The drama of this match comes from Necro's decision to push over both men from ladders and through tables at last week's PPV tapings. While Necro has not stated that he has left The Age of the Fall, he does seem to be more focused than ever on doing what's right for himself and not for other people. What happens to that determination and his loyalties to Jacobs could determine his ultimate fate within this match. Aries is behind the eight-ball a tad here as both his opponents are very dangerous and looking to damage him in this match. He'll have to play it cool and see if Necro and Jacobs fight each other more than him, but his desire to fight Jacobs may override any strategy he sets up. This is going to be a crowd-pleaser, with lots of brawling, violence and likely blood, blood and more blood shed on all sides.

Pro Wrestling NOAH Special Attraction
Naomichi Marufuji vs. Go Shiozaki

Marufuji and Shiozaki came up empty-handed last night in Virginia. Let's see if Larry Sweeney places the blame on Marufuji and orders Shiozaki to put the hurt on his fellow man in NOAH. Both men should come out swinging and hit some of their trademark moves, but ultimately its Marufuji who is the more experienced of the two. He rarely has lost in ROH , while Shiozaki is about 50-50.

Special Challenge Match
Roderick Strong vs. Eddie Edwards with Larry Sweeney

Eddie Edwards is the lowest man on the Sweet & Sour Inc. totem pole aside from Bobby Dempsey. Sweeney is going to want him to earn his keep here by defeating Strong. Meanwhile, Roderick is coming off a win against Necro, but going toe to toe and chair for chair with the Wildman brawler may have taken some out of his sails. This is his first appearance in NYC as a face since his turn back to the good side, so it will be interesting to see how the fans in attendance take to him.

Bonus Match
Delirious vs. Chris Hero with Larry Sweeney

Both men have crossed paths with each other over the recent months. Hero has gotten the better of Delirious and his new pet knock out strikes (forearm or a big boot) make him more dangerous than ever. What Rhett Titus may do to Delirious before, during, or after this match is also up for debate. Titus may be seething after a loss last night…payback is not out of the question.

Tag Team Challenge Match
Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Jigsaw & Ruckus

The Briscoes are winning their way back up to the top contenders spot in Ring of Honor. They have cross paths with The Vulture Squad before at Bedlam in Beantown. That was the combination of Jack Evans and Ruckus beating them, but can Jigsaw help Ruckus earn another win here? A loss here sends The V-Squad back to the bottom of the rankings.


Going Home

Honor System: following what's naughty and what's not in ROH:

Honorable
|
burying the hatchet to focus on a common enemy.
|
helping the Haze in distress.
|
agreeing to fight for five more minutes after a time limit draw.
|
tricking a girl into giving her a ride.
|
taking photos or video of said girl without her consent.
|
showing everyone in viewing distance said very questionable content on your cell phone.
|
Dishonorable



Ringtones

I'm glad to see Kenny King getting booked in ROH (AGAIN!). No disrespect intended to the other members of the YRR, but King has always come across as the stand out talent in the group.

Posted By: soulpower (Guest) on July 26, 2008 at 03:21 PM

I agree with you soulpower. King is certainly the standout being the taller, more athletic and more outgoing in personality of the core YRR members. Oh and he doesn't gross me out by kissing Becky Bayless on ROH shows, so that's one more point for him.


I understand why Ring of Honor fans take the amount of guff they do. As much as I enjoy watching the DVDs and going to the live shows, certain fans start acting up and it really takes you out of the show. I remember watching Jacobs and Aries in Chicago last month, and the end of the show leaving a bad taste in my mouth because some yahoos decided to throw garbage in the ring. Then there is Roderick Strong vs. Erick Stevens. You've got a four star match going on, and the Manhattan crowd is silent.

P.S.The only thing worse than annoying pop-up ads are talking pop-up ads. If I destroy my laptop after listening to one those announcements, I'm sending the bill to someone at 411.

Posted By: Jerome The Cool Kid (Guest) on July 26, 2008 at 04:18 PM

I actually like the garbage throwing in the ring these days, because unlike in the past where people have thrown bottles and such in the ring just to be jerks, throwing the trash at members of The Age of the Fall comes from a place of genuine heat. Fans have thrown the trash at seeing Age of the Fall win when they have wanted to see (among others) Steen & Generico win. That's always good, because it shows the fans care a lot about their "guys" winning.

I feel a lot these days (and especially with some of the commenters on this very website) that both ROH and its fans get an extraordinarily bad rap. Its gotten to the point where I feel some of the backlash has become unjustified and that the "Stereotypes" of ROHBot fans have become much larger and more urban myth than ever before. Yes we have some bad seeds, but then again, so do ALL wrestling fan communities. You're going to get jerks at WWE shows, TNA shows and the local Podunk shows. Its just because ROH has a very central and strong internet fan base that when criticism of the product and its fans are placed on the net, they are heard louder and felt more deeply because that's where the heart of the fanbase is located.

And Yes, those talking ads are amazingly annoying and one of the two major things I really dislike about 411 in its current status quo (and Jerome you and TCKs know very well about the other one). There just has to be a better way than those ads to generate revnue for the site. Or else I'll not only send 411 my computer bill, but my hospital bill as well…I see white walls for sure.


Hey m'man! Sorry I didn't respond last week- i saw the shout out you gave me but i just got back into town, then had buds come in from out of town, we drank too much, watched the bash and i think i broke my liver that weekend but I'm alive now & I lent the 3 ROH DVDs to my buddies--- but i did watch them all and i must say I really did like them!!

As a wrestling fan of WWE you wait and wait for that one awesome match that justifies why you muddle through the theatrics, the B level story-lines, and character building squashes... that one match that makes you say "that's why i watch wrestling" and what i watched on the ROH DVDs were exactly that--- each and every match was a showcase of some really awesome talent and skill-- i was pumped!!

The problem with the DVDs was it only showed the match from bell to bell--- no background or promos cut, I don't even know if they do that in ROH but they must bc the crowd seems to know who's the face and who's the heel even though both men are incredible athletes putting on a great match.

another complaint was the commentary, the color-man did a good job but the play-by-play guy, although he called each and every move and was good to hear (they don't do that anymore) his voice is what i would imagine paint drying if paint drying made a sound. he's blahhh but those are minor complaints.

Tomorrow I will be looking for more DVDs and i read the Chikara write up you did and i look foward to finding some of those as well! I will be asking alot of questions in the next few weeks so please humor me, I'm a ROHbot in training---

any advice on what DVDs i should look for next and how do i watch current programming of ROH?

thanks again for your help and is there a ROH timeline posted anywhere on this site so i can kind of review what's been going on so i can catch up? & why do ROHbots cheer a guy named Spanky? & why do they all kind of dress alike & dress different each match? i kinda felt some individualism and pageantry lacked and if done right could be a benefit if they all had their own look or am i missing the point? AWESOME stuff and thanks for your patience!

Posted By: theHomewrecker! (Guest) on July 26, 2008 at 05:10 PM

I'm glad Homewrecker found some of the good stuff in ROH that fit what he was looking for in a professional wrestling match / promotion. The exact feeling you describe—the "this is why I follow pro wrestling" feeling—is exactly what got me hooked to ROH. It came at a time when WWE was insulting my intelligence as a fan both with its angles and its poor in ring product. ROH had everything I was looking for and more. Nowadays WWE goes through cycles of really good pro-wrestling product and really out there sports entertainment that is not in the best of tastes. When they are good these days, they are really great. ROH has its faults and there are quite a few misteps this year in particular, but I almost never get the feeling that my intelligence is being insulted that I feel sometimes with WWE and often these days with TNA.

Your few criticism of the product, at least that you watched, are valid. Since you ordered and watched the "best of" DVDs., they likely cut out the promos and videos that set up he matches on the disc. They probably should have tried to fit them in, but likely ran out of disc space and prioritized great wrestling above using the vignettes, promos and hype videos. On the "regular" show to show DVDs, there are definitely promos and videos and that is why you see the fans have a familiarity at least to some extent with what's going on in the ring and why it's happening.

Prazak and Leonard do seem to be hit and miss for some fans…some don't like the tone of voice and some don't like what and how they say what they say during a match. I think they have great chemistry together and have just the right mix of commentary and play by play. Prazak, especially when he gets very enthusiastic, can help to sell the emotions of a wrestling match. Plus, both men know a wristlock from a wristwatch, and that's important in my book.

My advice to any newbies who watched the best ofs and enjoyed what they saw would be two fold. If you liked what you saw of past events, like the Joe vs. Homicide feud or the Generation Next stable, then go to that era in ROH and buy some of the DVDs from that timeframe. If you want to be up to date on current ROH, then you're best bet is to buy the DVDs of the ROH PPVs and go from there. Since only six PPVs have been released its going to be easy to catch up to current day ROH storylines, the major players and you'll get some of the best matches of the last year plus.

There is a ton of ROH coverage from 411's past that you can access by using the search engine. Stuart Carapola did a MASSIVE year by year timeline style series of columns for ROH that you can find, plus you can go back to my Final Column editions and catch up on the best of each of the last three years' worth of material.

Spanky, a.k.a. Brian Kendrick a.k.a. THE Brian Kendrick (as he's calling himself these days) was a huge fan favorite during his two stays in ROH (2002-2003 and most of 2005). Fans really took to him and his personality from the start—a brash and braggadocios kid who could do some fun and fantastic things in the ring.

I'm not sure what you mean by "dress alike and dress different"…other than if you're referring to the Best ofs, the advancement of time and characters for certain wrestlers may have meant a change in character or appearance.

Keep the questions coming; I'll be happy to answer them.



I'm hoping that they'll play up how much Aries and Shelley know each other from Gen Next. Maybe next time Shelley comes in they can have a Gen Next reunion now that all 4 of them are faces.

Posted By: Sean (Guest) on July 27, 2008 at 12:59 AM

A Generation Next reunion remains one of the larger fantasy-comes-true moments that ROH could do…and if it's against a common cause like fighting The Age of the Fall, so much the better. ROH doesn't like to step back and reprise too much of its past storylines, but I don't think many people would mind seeing Gen Next reform for one more go round.


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
**Pro Wrestling NOAH "Special Budokan Double Shot"7/15 & 9/9/07 (Determination League Semi Finals & Finals, NTV Cup Finals)High Recommendation
**PWG Battle of Los Angeles Night 1 (Castagnoli / Williams, Evans / Pac, Black / Shelley, Aries / Strong, PWG Tag Titles: Generico & Steen / Dragon Kid & Susumu Yokosuka)Medium Recommendation
**PWG Battle of Los Angeles Night 2 (CIMA / Tornado, Steen / Butcher, McGuinness / Richards, Kid / Yokosuka) Low Recommendation
**PWG Battle of Los Angeles Night 3 (the entire show) High Recommendation
**Shimmer Volume 11 (Sarah Stock / MsChif, Sarah Stock / Cheerleader Melissa, Sara Del Rey / Cindy Rogers, Nikki Roxx / Lacey, Daizee Haze / Malia Hosaka, Allison Danger / Hosaka)High Recommendation
**SHIMMER Volume 12 (Del Rey / Lacey, Del Rey / Sarah Stock, Haze / Lacey, Portuguese Princess Ariel / Josie / Nikki Roxx / Portia Perez, Melissa & MsChif / Lexie Fyfe & Hosaka)High Recommendation
**SHIMMER Women's Athletes Volume 13 (Melissa / Portuguese Princess Ariel, "Dark Angel" Sarah Stock / Daizee Haze, Portia Perez / MsChif, Del Rey & Roxx vs. Rain & Lacey, O'Neal vs. Melissa) Medium Recommendation
**SHIMMER Women's Athletes Volume 14 (SHIMMER Title: Del Rey / Lacey, Nikki Roxx / Amazing Kong, Two out of Three falls: Allison Danger / Cindy Rogers, Portuguese Princess Ariel / Amber O'Neal) Medium Recommendation
**CHIKARA The Battle of Who Could Care Less (Incoherence & Tim Donst / BLK OUT, Claudio Castagnoli & Equinox / Hero & Hawke, Lince Dorado & Pantera / Olsen Twins, Quackenbush & The Colony / F.I.S.T. / Osirian Portal) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA The Sordid Perils of Everyday Existence (Campeones de Parejas: Incoherence / Cheech & Cloudy, Lucha de Apresta: Chris Hero / Equinox, F.I.S.T., Ellis, Ryder / Quack / Donst / Super Smash Bros.) Medium Recommendation
**CHIKARA Chapter 11 (Hallowicked / Kingston, Colony / Super Smash Brothers & Shane Storm, Tex-Arkana Title Match: Alvarez / Sweeney, Quack, Trik Davis & Helios / Shayne Hawke & The Osirian Portal, MIYAWAKI, Hasegawa & Pantera / Cheech & Cloudy & Delirious) High Recommendation
**SHIMMER Women's Athletes Volume 15 (SHIMMER Title: Sara Del Rey / Amazing Kong, Daizee Haze / Sara Stock, Cheerleader Melissa / Alexa Thatcher, Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew / Ariel & Josie, Sereena Deeb / Jetta) High Recommendation
**SHIMMER Women's Athletes Volume 16 (SHIMMER Title Two Out of Three Falls: Sara Del Rey / Sara Stock, Amazing Kong / Cheerleader Melissa, Daizee Haze MsChif & Eden Black / Lacey, Rain & Jetta, Portia Perez & Nicole Matthews / Ariel & Josie, Sereena Deeb / Jetta) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA Two Eyebrows Are Better Than One (Castagnoli, Lince Dorado & Ophidian / Quackenbush, Donst & Amasis, Kingston / Storm, Colony / F.I.S.T., Moravian Greyhound / Zombie Plantain / Hydra)Medium Recommendation
**CHIKARA King of Trios Night One (Colony / Go, Nakazawam Shimizu, Osirian Portal & Mecha Mummy / Quackenbush, Storm & Skayde, Cheech & Cloudy & M.C. KZ / Quackenbush, Storm & Skayde, Delirious, Hallowicked & Helios / The Cartel) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA King of Trios Night Two (Player Uno, Stupified & El Generico / Cannon & North Star Express, Lince, Pantera & Incognito / Los Ice Creams & Glacier, Sweet & Sour Inc. / F.I.S.T. & Taylor, Donst, Gulak & Sumner / Fabulous Three / ) Medium Recommendation
**CHIKARA King of Trios Night Three (KOT Quarter, Semi Finals & Finals, Tag Team Gauntlet) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA Deuces Wild (NWA Jr. Heavyweight Title: Mike Quackenbush / El Pantera, UltraMantis Black / Tim Donst, Young Lions Cup: Helios / Lince Dorado, Colony / Osirian Portal, Robbie Ellis / Ice Cream Jr.) Medium Recommendation
**CHIKARA Passion and Persistence (Brodie Lee / Claudio Castagnoli, Campeones de Parejas: Incoherence / F.I.S.T., Quackenbush, Shane Storm, Cheech & Cloudy / Mitch Ryder & Shayne Hawke, Larry Sweeney & Robbie Ellis, Hydra / Chuck Taylor)High Recommendation
**CHIKARA Grit & Glory (Castagnoli, Sonjay Dutt & Pantera / Quackenbush, Jorge Rivera & Turbo, Campeones de Parejas: Incoherence / Osirian Portal, Storm / Kingston, Vin Gerard/ Lince Dorado, Colony / Fabulous Three, Hydra & Tim Donst / Super Smash Brothers, Gran Akuma / PSYCHO, Daizee Haze & Chuck Taylor / Sara Del Ray & Bobby Dempsey)High Recommendation
**CHIKARA AniversarioMA (Atomicos Increibles: Mike Quackenbush, Cheech, Stupified & Worker Ant / Cloudy, Player Uno, Soldier Ant & Shane Storm, Brodie Lee, Mitch Ryder & Shayne Hawke / Incoherence & Claudio Castagnoli, Chuck Taylor & Gran Akuma / Turbo & Lince Dorado, El Pantera vs. Jorge Rivera , Osirian Portal / 2.0) Medium Recommendation
**CHIKARA AniversarioCT (Osirian Portal / Shane Storm & Mike Quackenbush, Super Smash Bros. / Cheech & Cloudy, Hydra & Tim Donst / Los Ice Creams, F.I.S.T. / The Colony, Brodie Lee / Claudio Castagnoli) High Recommendation
**FIP Cage of Pain II (Cage of Pain II, Roderick Strong/Larry Sweeney, Delirious & Hallowicked & Jigsaw/BxB Hulk & YAMATO & Jack Evans, Erick Stevens/Necro Butcher) High Recommendation
**FIP Redefined (Erick Stevens/Roderick Strong in their best encounter in FIP or ROH, Austin Aries/Davey Richards, Nigel McGuinness/Necro Butcher, Shawn Murphey/Heartbreak Express, Sal Rinauro/Tyler Black) High Recommendation
**CZW Deja Vu 3 (No Rope Barbed Wire Match: JC Bailey/Necro Butcher, El Generico/Super Dragon, B-Boy/Nate Webb, Ruckus & Mike Quackenbush/Kings of Wrestling) High Recommendation



**SHIMMER Volume 17 (Sara Del Rey & Allison Danger / MsChif & Cheerleader Melissa, Lacey / Sara Stock, Mercedes Martinez / Wesna Busic, Amazing Kong / Ariel, Daizee Haze / Cindy Rogers) (NEW ADDITION) High Recommendation
Why You Should Buy In: The top four singles matches on the card are all strong and make good cases for why SHIMMER is the place to be for women's professional wrestling. You also have the debut of several new women's wrestlers to the roster, most of whom take up the bulk of the under card and look to be featured more in future editions of the SHIMMER series. Finally you have the debut of "Croatian Panther" Wesna Busic, who is as hard hitting and strong style as they come, and the return to action of Mercedes Martinez, one of the premier stars of the early SHIMMER DVDs.
Match of the DVD: The main event tag is great and has some definite intensity and fighting spirit that keeps your attention. Its great tag team wrestling and you easily buy into the competition between the wrestlers and that fact that the win is so important to them. Lacey vs. Stock is a close second. Stock plays the full-on baby face here (as opposed to previous editions where she was sort of neutral but leaning towards heel as she took on some of the more popular face wrestlers in "dream" matches). She does it with aplomb (and with fantastic attire). She and Lacey have great chemistry together and thus the shine and the heat segments are terrific. This is also the last singles match for Lacey in the SHIMMER series (she also wrestles in volume 18).
Positives and Negatives: One thing I want to say right off the bat is that I love the use of props during these shows. The Chicago crowd and some of the hardcores are especially helpful here—they make cardboard cut outs (and well designed ones at that) of the wrestlers, who usually see them and interact with them. Then there are the Daizee Flower Patch Kids, as I have termed them (to no one but myself). Daize Haze gets some plush "smiley" flowers from the fans as she enters the ringside area and swings them back and forth. These props are so perfect for her character that I'm surprised she doesn't just take them everywhere she goes for use in her matches. She will "plant" them inside one of the ring turnbuckles, so that they stick out on top, but on this show there is some entertaining back and forth between Haze and Cindy Rogers using the flowers and Rogers jacket. Rogers grabs Haze's flowers and Haze grabs Rogers' Pinky Tuscadero jacket. There is some hostage negotiation done so that each gets back what is theirs…Of the under card girls who make their debut here, I liked Jennifer Blake a lot, but don't think there is too much with her and Danyah (another debut) as a team. To be honest, they're a bit of a mess together both in the opener against Rain & Jetta and during their match for Volume 18. Danyah is just too over the top as the plucky baby face for my liking. I did dig Jennifer Blake's dropkick to Rain on the chair and I'm assuming that butterfly Canadian Destroyer that Prazak was talking up looks unbelievable, but we don't see it on either of the new volumes… I liked Nicole Matthews a lot in her previous appearances and I think on this volume she is especially getting into her role as a under card heel. Alicia hasn't been booked recently, but I think Matthews fills the "entertainingly annoying" quotient, although differently than to the Jersey trashy style of Alicia. Her opponent is Shark Girl, and well…if you've seen Shark Boy in action, this is pretty much that, just with a girl instead of a guy… the plucky, mini-Torrie Wilson-esque Ashley Lane gets teamed up with Nevaeh, who doesn't show all that much personality but works the babyface role a lot more subtly and effectively than Danyah did earlier on. They come to out to Paramore's "Misery Business" which on the one hand I appreciate because I'm a huge fan of them, but on the other hand it comes off as ridiculously ill-suited to be a wrestling theme, especially give the subject matter of the lyrics. Maybe "Born For This" would have been a better fit? Anyway, I see them doing well as the underdog babyface tag team, and next volume they would prove exactly that … SHIMMER continues to book Amazing Kong, but since she is TNA Knockouts champion during these tapings, they have to get creative in their finishes. They have built her up as this unstoppable monster who has never been pinned (just losing the title match vs. Del Rey via 10 count TKO), but you don't want her destroying your established regular talent just in case TNA pulls her and you can't end up putting someone over her in the end. Kong and Ariel have a fantastic match that is short but packs in a ton of action and gets the crowd biting on a lot of Ariel's offense in the hope that she will be the one to defeat Kong. Then Kong beats up the ref and senior ref Bryce Remsburg has to come out and lay down the law to Kong: one more act like that and she will be suspended! Ariel is quite frankly becoming SHIMMER's mid card miracle; she's a terrific face who is likeable and gets the fans backing her and she can bring it in the ring and give you a consistently entertaining match every time out. I was impressed in her strong style outing against Cheerleader Melissa on a previous volume and here I am once again talking up her efforts…Speaking of good strong style, Martinez is back and beating the heck out of her opponents. Wesna Busic puts up a tough fight and gets some good offense in, but it's no match for Martinez, who is already being positioned to be a major force in the promotion…Finally, the main event tag match is a fantastic watch and stands up there with many of ROH's upper card matches. Del Rey and Danger play the subtle heels here, although for the life of me I can't figure out why the SHIMMER fans started to boo Del Rey beginning with this volume. The negative reaction is light in this match but for the next volume it's quite clear that the fans in attendance turned on Del Rey in preference to Melissa and MsChif. Stuff like the fans turning on wrestlers for no good reason usually leaves me puzzled. MsChif has so many ridiculously complicated names for her moves ("Unhallowed Grace" being one of them). I can't keep track of which move is which. The action in this match is really good and the end run with MsChif having Del Rey down for at least a ten count thanks to her DDT finisher leaves the door open for their title match on the next show. Although oddly enough is Cheerleader Melissa getting the win here, and to me it seems that Melissa should easily be the one getting a title opportunity against Del Rey.

**Speaking of tag teams, with so many wrestlers established now working as a team either consistently or on an occasional basis, I think it's getting close to time to create the SHIMMER Tag Team Titles. You have Dangerous Angels, MelissChif, The Experience, Matthews & Portia Perez, Rain & Jetta, Blake & Danyah, Lane & Navaeh and I'm sure you could form one more team for your field of eight. Dave Prazak, book it!**



**SHIMMER Volume 18 (Amazing Kong / Wesna Busic, SHIMMER Title: Sara Del Rey / MsChif, Cheerleader Melissa / Sara Stock, Mercedes Martinez / Cindy Rogers, Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew / Ashley Lane & Nevaeh) (NEW ADDITION) High Recommendation
Why You Should Buy In: The first ever title change for the SHIMMER Title is found on this disc and it plays off as the perfect upset. This is also Lacey's last appearance for SHIMMER for the foreseeable future and she ends it with a good tag match that showcases the personality and entertaining heel act of the Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew. Oh and you get the first ever match between Kong and Wesna Busic.
Match of the DVD: Wesna Busic and Amazing Kong throw down. The crowd is completely into this face off of two power wrestlers. Kong's usual power offense impresses, and her spinning back fist is even more impressive than usual. She waylays Busic with one here. Busic gets up Kong for a release German and the crowd goes absolutely ballistic. They wisely head to the finish after that, and that one spot I think instantly earned Busic a spot in the hearts of the SHIMMER fans.
Positives and Negatives: There are lots of little things that help build the characters of the wrestlers and even the referees to be found on this show. Just watch, for instance, referee Andy Long and how the girls (especially the heels) seemingly abuse him. His ref job for the Home Wrecking Crew, and having to pat them down (or not as the case may be) is a terrific touch to the opening of the match that allows everyone, even Ashley Lane and Nevaeh to get in on the act…Rain looks amazing on this volume with her hair all tussled out and in a get up that makes her look like a very sexy witch going out Trick or Treating. Hey, she can bring it in the ring, but I don't mind the look at al. Since this is Lacey's last match and the MNHWC have been so dominant in tags over the last 18 editions, the loss to Lane & Nevaeh is absolutely right on and helps to get the face team over…Props continue to be important and really are used to their best potential in the Daizee Haze vs. Jetta match. Jetta stomps on the flowers repeatedly…and yes, stomping on PLUSH, not even real flowers, gets her heel heat and garners Daizee Haze a ton of sympathy. Awesome. Jetta clearly "gets it" and I have totally become a fan of hers… Amber O'Neal is just as awesome as ever in her material girl gimmick and I really liked her interactions in this match with the referee and with the crowd in her match against Lorelei Lee as well as in the comedy reactions she used here against Shark Girl. Getting bitten by Shark Girl and selling it as the worst thing in the world to happen to her was fantastic…When I first read about Cat Power debuting on the show, I figured Chan Marshall was sidelining her musical career. As it turns out, two different people. This Cat Power doesn't sing, and she didn't come out in a cat suit or mask. Very disappointing. She could have at least used "He War" as an entrance song. To be honest, she looks a little like Rain, but with Sara Del Rey's body. Ariel wins the match against Power. Her reaction to having the manga cartoon cut out is absolutely endearing, and she is just so happy to have one made out in her image. Hey, even Lexie and Malia dropped their heel act for a moment to pose with their cut outs. Good artwork bridges all barriers…Melissa vs. Stock is a really good match, but a bit slow in the first half as they trade technical holds and submissions. Then again, I like that sort of stuff so I paid attention, but maybe casual fans would tune out a bit. The trade offs and counters are good, but there's a point where that should end and the match build towards a crescendo. Melissa's Kudo Driver is terrific though and I like how they played on the finish of their first match (from the SHIMMER Title Tournament) to get to the Kudo Driver. Cheerleader Melissa, it should be noted, is also doing a fantastic job now as a face and the throwing of her pom poms into the crowd is a great idea that I hope she continues to use in future shows. See what I mean about props?…The fans are behind MsChif all the way in her effort to win the title and they are booing Del Rey more and more as the match wears on Del Rey dominates the match and twists MsChif in all sorts of directions. Then MsChif comes back using her own holds and stretches that contort her body in similar ways and it kind of ruined the moment for me. Prazak also announces that MsChif has no spine and that undercuts Del Rey's plan of attack. Danger meanwhile exposes her bias for Del Rey on the commentary, although she subtly suggests she doesn't agree with Del Rey being more vicious (meanwhile not really doing anything much worse than what she's done in previous matches and title defenses). Well, she's the champion; shouldn't she be fighting hard and hitting harder to keep her title? Regardless, the comeback works for me because MsChif is able to use some of her trademark big moves such as the Code Green to discombobulate Del Rey and leave her woozy and weakened. The crowd also helps because they react big time to the late pinfall attempts. MsChif takes the opportunity to go after Del Rey and maneuvers into the Desecrator DDT (a bit awkward in the set up but looked good on impact) for the win. The celebration is really great and lives up to the moment, although I would have liked to have seen Melissa come out to support MsChif (given their strong history in SHIMMER of rivalry and then alliance). Plus, where was Daffney? Taking a bite out of crime?

Overall, if you're a fan of wrestling, not just women's wrestling, but wrestling in general, then you can't go wrong in picking these new SHIMMER releases up. Both are worth the money. Great work all around.

This section needs your help! If you want to recommend some good independent wrestling to your fellow internet readers out there, drop me a line for the column.


Get With the pROHgram:

Now Available: ROH Up For Grabs: ROH's World Tag Team Tiles are on the line in a single elimination eight team tournament.

Now On PPV: "Respect is Earned II" PPV: The seventh PPV offering from Ring of Honor features McGuinness vs. Shiozaki for the ROH World Title and Age of the Fall vs. Danielson & Aries for the ROH World Tag Team Titles. From Philadelphia. The DVD will be released on September 1st, 2008.

September 19th, 2008—Boston, MA: ROH returns to the Boston University Case Gym for the ninth PPV in ROH history



ROH @ 411

The 411 Roundtable has our predictions and thoughts on this weekend's card for Manassas and Manhattan. See how we're doing so far and come back later to see how we finished up!

It's me vs. John Gregory in this week's 411 Buy or Sell with more on Ring of Honor and the various hot topics of the last two weeks.

Larry Csonka looks at the Best of CM Punk DVD from Big Vision, which features Punk in FIP, some ROH and some IWA M-S.


Honor Bound Links

Frequent reader and emailer John Mabery's Top 10 Shows at the Hammerstein can be found here.

Bayani Domingo talks more about Lucha in America in his newest Truth B Told.

Michael Weyer Shines the Spotlight on Wrestling and the Olympics.

Lansdell is your newest Mr. Ask 411. He gets a sash and a tiara and everything.

I have my latest edition of The iTune In for the music zone. Also spotted an article devoted to Fiona Apple right here. Vanessa Willoughby sounds like my kind of 411 writer!


If I can get a copy of Respect Is Earned 2 I'll try to write up a special review for 411. If not, I'll be back next week with my thoughts and impressions from tonight's show in the Big Apple and more.

BROOKLYN! DA EM BAH SEE!
--Ari--