Column of Honor: 09.27.08: Evening Edition - On the “New Horizon”
Posted by Ari Berenstein on 09.27.2008
Ring of Honor’s horizon line has three excellent matches and a dramatic head on collision between Austin Aries and Jimmy Jacobs. Read my review of the “New Horizons” PPV inside, plus the Money Players and ROH Stock Market report for August and September!
Well, that was a quick return, wasn't it? Welcome back to the Column.
Ring Toss
-New Horizons PPV Review
-Money Player of the Month
-The ROH Stockmarket
-Honor System
On the New Horizon
What were the new horizons the title of this Pay Per View hinted at? If it was the horizon that both Austin Aries and Jimmy Jacobs saw on top of a giant ladder moments before they both were thrown violently off, then I don't think I'd want to see it. If it was the horizon of darkness that Necro Butcher must have felt after being smashed through a chair…twice…then I don't think I'd want to visit it. If it's was a horizon that Bryan Danielson experienced after being power bombed into a turnbuckle and effectively destroying the ring, then I don't think I'd want to feel it. Nonetheless, ROH presented "New Horizons" on PPV this week and here is the play by play and analysis for the show:
-From: Detroit, Michigan and starting with Tyler Black and Jimmy Jacobs in the ring, looking cocksure. Jacobs looks like a cockatoo out of Mad Max with his Mohawk squeeb and a white leather jacket with black trim and spikes. Jacobs claims he will not defend the titles, stating that all the completion is in injured. The Briscoes rush down to the ring to clear Aotf, wanting them to come back in and put up a fight as the crowd cheers "Man Up".Jacobs and Black fake ‘em out, but Austin Aries attack him, clearing them from the ring.
-Prazak interviews The Briscoes and asks him about the injury. Mark says he's ready to go and he wants the belts back.
-Opening video of the PPV with highlights from the last show.
1. Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Silas Young & Mitch Franklin *
Fast and furious pace. Young gets his handstand flying quebrada but then it's all Briscoes, who launch Mitch Franklin up in the air and then the springboard doomsday for three a few seconds later. Squash match but a fun one.
-Video feature on the Briscoes from the videowire with them shooting rifles and getting drunk. "We might hit some and we might miss some but either way we're gonna try."
2. Four Corner Survival: Erick Stevens vs. Delirious vs. Ruckus vs. Shane Hagadorn. **1/4
In the early going this match is a showcase for the offense of the three faces, although Delirious is less than successful in his closelines on Stevens. Shane Hagadorn does his best scare-dy cat routine by tagging in and out, but it backfires quickly when Ruckus and Delirious drop out and he gets tagged by Stevens. Hagadorn takes a powder but Delirious and Ruckus bring him back. Stevens chops the f*** out of him, and then all the good guys run the train (well with Stevens, I mean that choo choo move, the other guys, well, make your own determination). Lots of well timed dives from Ruckus. Stevens misses the choo choo on Delirious, and D gets the panic attack. Hagadorn tries to take advantage but gets out the way and Delirious nails Shadows over Hell on Stevens. The Ruckus spinning neckbreaker leads to that awesome moonsault legdrop but it's kicked out of…which absolutely should not happen with that movie. Hagadorn gets a blah looking back drop, cups his ears ala Hogan and gets blasted with a closeline. Doctor Bomb and a three count. Solid sprint, but also it felt like the first match in that it was a squash for Stevens. Good slo-motion replay on the Doctor Bomb.
-Aries is out again and has the mic. "What you and I have going on right now Jimmy Jacobs, transcends the everyday blood feud". We get clips of other shows AND a small clip of the Lacey video—excellent call. Some of the fans are getting on his case a bit, which makes sense since its Jimmy's backyard. Aries wants Jacobs out, and he is out, but once again, its just a ruse. Aries catches Black trying to jump him and dishes him back out. Aries doesn't see MsChif (identified as SHIMMER champion) attacking him from behind and now Jacobs and Black are back in to capitalize. Jacobs mows him down with a metal hook and Age of the Fall propaganda is shown as Jacobs fish hooks him with the metal. Aries is carted off to the back.
-Kevin Steen is out, calling Jacobs and Black "A Simple Plan". Heh. Steen calls for a title shot while clips from Dragon Gate Challenge vs. Doi and Yoshino are shown. Jacobs says he needs to prove he deserves a shot. Necro attacks from behind. Necro blasts him with a neckbreaker on to the steel ramp and attacks him with the guardrail.
3. No DQ: Kevin Steen vs. Necro Butcher ***
Brawling around the ring and Steen attacks with ring bell, then in a great little moment rings the bell into Necro's ear and Necro runs away from the loud decibels slowly making him go deaf. Necro with an eye gouge, but Steen reverses the whip and powerslams him into the ramp. That's pretty cool. Steen headlocks Necro and drags him into the ring for a one-count. Steen bites Necro, which is pretty unwise and unhygienic of him. Maybe he eats peanut butter, directly from a knife while he is at it. Necro gets a hot-shot to switch momentum. Steen once again tries to bite the hand of Necro…is he a covert cannibalist? Necro and Steen tag each other with punches that look like they connect full on. Sunset flip converted into the Steenshooter but Necro is fighting it, punches him until he breaks the hold. Sleeper, escaped, but he bounces off the ropes and into a knock out like punch and Steen falls to the outside. Steen grabs a chair into the mid section, then Flair like tosses him off the apron onto the chair. Youch. Frog splash off the apron to the floor! Swanton attempt hits knees and Necro crawls to the apron to grabs chairs. Chop and punch volley in the corner and a bulldog onto the chair for a two count. He sets the chair upright and attempts a Tiger Driver but Steen negotiates around it. Closeline is blocked, punch, Necro bounces off and his leg gets draped across the ropes into a low blow. MICHINOKUDRIVER ON THE CHAIR—direct hit—YOU SUNK MY BATTLESHIP! No, two count! Steen grabs Necro and uses the package piledriver on the chair and this time it's three. Well you'd think the Michinoku Driver would have been enough, but either way, that finish rocked the world.
-Adam Pearce cuts a promo about reaching new horizons and on Brent Albright as highlights of his involvement with Sweet & Sour Incorporated play in a translucent background. He was suspended for throwing the fireball on Albright, but its okay because he has the support of Sweeney and he has the NWA World Heavyweight Title. He's going to sit back and rejoice in the fact that he is "getting the job done". Great promo, which makes the timing of Pearce's departure that much more tragic. Pearce takes a call from Sweeney and we fade into Sweet & Sour Inc. and Chris Hero and Go Shiozaki making their way to the ring, with Sweeney talking to Pearce on his Bluetooth.
-They do show Davey Richards turning on Roderick Strong with the low blow and breaking up the No Remorse Corps., but its just a quick clip and voice over explanation.
4. Naomichi Marufuji & Roderick Strong vs. Chris Hero & Go Shiozaki ****
Sweeney on the stick talks about expansion and reintroduces Marufuji to Shiozaki. He asks Marufuji-san..well, it sounds like he's propositioning him that he will make him "happy". Well, that's what it sounded like! Sweeney wants to shake hands with Marufuji but he gets the finger instead. Sweeney in an awesome moment sells the F-U finger by jumping back about five feet. Sweeney plans on walking out…but he's stopped by Lance Storm! Storm wants to be serious for a minute and challenges him to get past him…or else to get back to the ring to start the match. He's gonna stand out there to make sure Sweeney doesn't interfere. They show a clip of Storm vs. Danielson from Better Than Our Best, unfortunately its one where Danielson super backdrops him from the top. Why would you use a clip that makes Storm look bad? Oh well, sell that match, move that merch.
It's a chop war and sounds like someone is slapping someone else with rubber bands as Prazak is surprised by Nigel McGuinness, who is back on commentary on an ROH PPV. Strong runs a chop right through Hero and Nao hits a back spin kick for two. Hero uses Nao's own momentum against him by springing him into the ropes. Nigel says he's going to defend the belt against Claudio next and leaves the booth.
Marufuji with a running elbow to the corner and a Russian legsweep into the corner. He runs back and forth from the ropes and Strong holds Go in a backbreaker position and Nao hits a missile dropkick. The chops in this match are making ME scream in disgust. Hero pulls Strong out to the floor and attacks him and Sweeney gets a cheap shot as well. Hero gets the heat with some boots into the corner. Strong gets a strike or two for hope, but Hero is still on him and tosses him out. Storm prevents Sweeney from getting close to Strong on the floor but back in the ring Hero chokes him with a foot. Go gets his nice looking kneelift from outside the ring to the apron. Strong gets some chops and a jumping side kick…crawls to the corner but is cut off by Go, pounding on him and putting him in the Dragon sleeper. Strong in the tree of woe and Hero gets the dropkick. Sweeney with a funny chant of "give it up Roderick, give it up." Obviously it doesn't take with the fans.
Tree of woe chop by Go for 2. Back to a chop exchange; Go rushes in and Strong gets a enziguri, hot tag to Marufuji as he hits two drop kicks and heel miscommunication gets him two more. Knees and kicks from both Strong and Nao for a close two. Shiranui is blocked but Marufuji blocks the tree of woe chop. Superkick from Marufuji is climbing up the ropes and Go charges into it!, Marufuji blocks the Go Flasher but Go blocks the Shiranui into the fisherman buster. Tag to Hero, back elbow, downward elbow to the head (illegal in MMA!), Nao block and dodges, super kick, Shiranui flipped out of…sunset flip hit and Hero gets the pin attempt but Strong breaks it up. COMBO FRONT DOUBLE KNEE GUT BUSTER and CODEBREAKER! Awesome double team. Go in a chop exchange but a superkick levels him and he's out. Hero is reeling, recovers and gets two knock out blows on Marufuji and he's out! Strong blind tags in and gets Hero with a backbreaker for three!
This was a fantastic match, well paced and everyone had their roles to serve and did it well. Simple shine-heat-comeback and excellent double teams make me a happy camper.
Storm is in to celebrate with Strong and Marufuji, but Hero attacks from behind and pounds on all three men. Sweeney thinks Storms done and turns his back but Storm is right up and gets the maple leaf to a great pop! Hero attacks him from behind. Sweeney is jumping on one leg and screaming at Hero to knock him out. Hero KO's him with the rolling forearm and stands tall over him. "That's what happens when you mess with the business of Sweet & Sour Incorporated".
-Promo from Albright, whose face is wrapped in medical tape. The fireball from Pearce is shown. "Oh yeah, things are heating up now." Albright plays the family card by saying his son ran away from him because of his face. His baby girl started crying because she knew something isn't right. His wife keeps asking if he's okay. She's worried about paying the bills because he can't wrestle. "So you wanted to hurt me Adam? Yeah, you've hurt me. But it's not going to stop me, because now I'm going to hurt you…I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that your face looks exactly like mine." Good stuff, although Albright looked a bit silly with his face wrapped like that, but it served the point.
-Profile package of Claudio prepping from the videowire. Simple and effective towards giving him a reason to fight.
5. ROH World Championship: Nigel McGuinness (c) vs. Claudio Castagnoli (with Sledgehammer instrumental!) **** 1/4
Claudio's got the same orange tights he had on Hammerstein…not a good sign. Bicycle kick from out of nowhere for two! Ricola attempt countered into a lariat, but Claudio right up into a lariat…then gets the RICOLA BOMB! Close, close two-count and Nigel's out of the ring to escape the flurry. Nigel's woozy and Claudio throws him into the guardrail and then gets some European uppercuts all around ringside to the approval of the crowd. Massive roar from the Detroit crowd…how did he turn heel just a few weeks later? Nigel snaps the ropes on Claudio's eyes, drops down to the ringside and Claudio goes for a tope, blocked by Nigel who tries for the Tower of London on the floor, but for the first time on PPV that is blocked and Claudio is back on offense with more Euro uppercuts and throwing him into the ring. Claudio blocks being thrown into the ring and gets a back elbow and some throat thrusts outside. Nigel crotches Claudio on the guard rail. Eye rake and a running lariat attempt is blocked with a forearm. Claudio tries to springboard but it's stopped and he goes chest first across the rail. NOW the Tower of London to the floor! Nigel slows the pace a bit with timed European uppercuts and Claudio gets tied up in the ropes.
Euro exchange with the "yay" / "boo" reaction from the crowd in the favor of Claudio. Nigel spins into the rotation closeline. He slaps him down and gets a headscissors for a heat spot. Claudio bridges for a two count and Nigel turns it over into the Skullf**k er(TM Alex Shelley). Nigel once again calls out "Best Wrestler in the World" to continue the verbal abuse of American Dragon. Spine kick and Claudio screams out in pain. Headbutts by Claudio but Nigel stops the momentum and puts him into the straightjacket chinlock. Nigel flips over and presses down into a pin for two. Snap DDT by Nigel. Delays the pin and Claudio gets his foot on the ropes, then a one-count. Headstand mule kick (Claudio should have known about that one). Cravate brings him down to the mat and the crowd urges Claudio on to a standing position. Snapmare into a running knee right into the front of Claudio's shoulder--OH! That looked sick. Two count off that. Headstand this time and Nigel goes up and over, but Claudio pops up to the top and gets the springboard European! Claudio with the comeback with about nine euros. Match Killer swings well and hits full on for two. Closeline all the way to the floor. Tope to the floor! Again, the crowd goes wild and again I ask, how could they turn him heel? Nigel catches him off the top into the TOL, blocked and broken. Nigel with a superplex attempt blocked and slow motion forearms, it looked meh, but then a better volley of strikes knocks Nigel down. Crossbody and Nigel gets out of the way. Hammerlock divorce court by Nigel for two. Kick and closeline combo for two. TOL for two. Nigel's momentum euro uppercut is blocked as Claudio rushes in with one of his. Bicycle kick and a Ricola attempt, kicked into the ropes, Nigel bounces his head into Claudio. Jawbreaker is blocked and Nigel gets a double leg pick up from the ropes into a big swing! Only a two count on that but it was a great moment. Jockeying back and forth and Nigel has him crotched on the top. Several chops but Claudio gets the enziguri on the top rope to the back of Nigel's head! Running euro as Nigel is on the top turnbuckle! Superplex attempt and finally gets it. Delayed deadlift German for a close two! Alpamare Waterslide and Nigel just pops a shoulder out. Ricola position, blocked, Jawbreaker maneuvered into the pop up euro for two. Ricola Bomb! Two count only, but barely so and Claudio rolls over still with Nigel's arms still wrapped into a second Ricola attempt, but Nigel pops out of it, elbow, Jawbreaker Lariat attempt reversed into a Claudio back slide and again a kick out. Fans are rabid for Claudio. O' Connor roll, with tights for two, into the Jawbreaker Lariat for three!
This should have been the Castagnoli vs. McGuinness match that went down at A New Level. I liked the start of the match because it was different from most other matches we see on PPV. Unlike A New Level, the first five minutes here were fast-paced and exciting and kept the fans right into the action. Some of the strikes later on in the match were a bit loose but the end sequence more than made up for it. The finish once again shows that the fans go rabid for every attempt to get Nigel's title off his waist.
6. Bryan Danielson vs. Tyler Black ****1/4
Prazak talks up Danielson's summer, including his AAA appearance and his win in WWE. Both men need a win to get back to World title contention. Dragon is distracted by Jacobs and Black flurries from behind and chokes Dragon using Dragon's ring robe. Black starts on the attack with boots and chokes into the corner. A mixed reaction for Black by the fans. Dragon almost kicks Black's f**king head in but Black ducks under a fast roundhouse kick and bails.
They grapple a bit and Dragon gets an extended armbar. Snapmare and crossface blow by Black and he grabs an arm and tuft of hair. Danielson reverses the arm hold and spins into a dropkick. He kicks at the leg, snapmare and spine kick! He bends Black's leg in an oddly awfully painful looking angle and then into the more standard Muta Lock. Nigel is back into the booth to crow about defending the title, but he puts Claudio over and says he is going to speak as long as he wants to despite being in a tough match. Danielson meanwhile wrestles circles around Black and gets him into a pinning position for two. Black turns things around by getting him into the corner and pounding on him methodically. Danielson is back with forearms and European uppercuts. Danielson grabs and arm and spins it down, snapping it and using simple but excellent looking technical work to hurt the arm. The fans pop for him bending the elbow downward and stopping him on it. Butterfly suplex into a cross armbreaker for Danielson but Black clasps down and kicks Danielson's head to break.
Danielson kicks Black's midsection some more and back to pulling the arm in a painful leverage move. Nigel points out correctly that Dragon is using a variation of the arm stretch torture move Nigel uses. "This is Wrestling chant" from the crowd. Suplex attempts are blocked by each man. Both men pick each other up to the apron, he goes for the neckbreaker but Black stops himself and only Dragon drops down and hurts his neck. Black goes to work on that neck on the outside. Back inside he punches Danielson in the head repeatedly and savagely. Choke on the ropes and a back flip…that gets boos from the crowd. Interesting reaction there as his back flip usually gets cheers but here he was preening and posturing, definitely heeling it out. Dragon is firing up and fires back, but runs right into the sleeper. Nigel gets a burn on Dragon, by saying fans fall asleep during Dragon's matches. Blasphemy! Leg lariat and both men almost knock heads ala JBL and Punk at Summerslam. Simple stomps and head slams to the neck by Black. Rude Awakening style neckbreaker for two. Dropkick by Danielson and he crawls to the corner. He dodges Black and a gets running forearm strike, kitchen sink knee and a spine kick for two. Black goes back in control but Dragon gets the axe bomber elbow and to the top for a standing missile dropkick. Black rolls out and Danielson kicks up to a huge pop! Danielson tope but Black rolls under and Danielson spills out. Total wipe out. Black moonsault press connects and Jacobs urges him on.
Black throws Danielson under the rope, springboard closeline for two. Neckbreaker again for two. Disrespectful slap by Black. "You're time here is done!" he screams "We are the revolution, Bryan and you are the expense!" Romp 'em, stomp ‘em charge gets a kick to the face and a flying knee strike for two, rolled right into Cattle Multilation! Crowd goes bezerk but Black, even in going the opposite direction to the farthest ropes gets the break. Danielson holds until four as Nigel funnily claims that Danielson is stealing his catchphrase. Danielson gives Black several sharp slaps as a receipt. A Danielson Tiger Suplex attempt is flipped out, into a sunset flip by Danielson for two and a roll up sequence gets two counts. O'Connor roll with the bridge gets transitioned into the sleeper choke by Black (think Dragon-Joe). The ref counts the hand but Danielson is back up and gets a sleeper of his own. He piggy backs onto Black's body (awesome) and rides him down into a cross arm breaker…Black holds on but it gets turned right into the triangle choke. Black goes limp and the ref tries to count. Black pulls up and picks Danielson up into a powerbomb into the corner…and the force of the move snaps the top rope! THAT was nuts! Slow motion replay and we see Danielson had a serious case of whiplash from that. WOW. The match continues with both men fighting it out and Leonard gives an astute observation that Black can't get the Phoenix Splash without a firm top rope. Forearms from Danielson, enziguri. Danielson goes for the tiger wall flip, but Black catches shim into the F-U DDT for two. Small package driver for two! Back and forth forearm shots, building the fans into a frenzy and now Danielson with some strikes, into the MMA elbows! , Black is out and the ref rings the bell! McGuinness says Danielson still had to beat Go and Claudio and leaves the commentary in a huff.
Excellent match, right up there with their other two encounters. I like the continued disrespect from Black even though he hasn't figured out Danielson yet. The rope breaking, while accidental, really helped to amp up the finish of the match and they were able to work to the finish well.
Aries hits the ring on Jacobs and starts beating him down.
7. Austin Aries & Jimmy Jacobs collide! [NR]
This is an unsanctioned match but Prazak says we're going to watch them fight. Aries flurries on Jacobs in the corner and connects with the missile dropkick… and again! ...and agan! Heat seeking tope crashes and burns into the floor and bounces into the barricade. Jacobs pounds down on Aries' head. Jacobs calls for a chair and hits him into the midsection then bashes him on the back. Aries is busted open and Jacobs props him on the chair… chair plancha misses! Jacobs hits the chair! Aries throws Jacobs into the crowd and dives right into him and into the crowd! Jacobs throws Aries through some chairs in the floor. Jacobs on some risers jumps off and gets a chair to the head. Aries reverses a Jacobs biel and throws him into the wall. Aries reverses an irish whip, bounces off what looks like some rolled carpeting into a closeline. Aries signals for the brainbuster, but Jacobs blocks it and maneuvers into The End Time. Aries rams Jacobs into the wall to break it up! Eye rake and spear attempt but Aries catches him, knee strikes and Last Chancery! Jacobs grimaces in pain and Aries lets go.
Aries throws him off the large roll of material and into the crowd. He grabs a chair from a fan and bashes it into him as he drags him further to the other section. Over and over he beats him down. That's quite innovative! He points to a giant ladder and drags it back to where Jacobs is. Jacobs smashes Aries's head on a set up table and looks to toss a chair at him but Aries ducks and smashes Jacobs. Jacobs throws a chair at Aries to block him from climbing up the ladder. Aries is on the table now. Jacobs climbs the ladder but Aries is back to his feet and now BOTH climb the ladder. They punch each other and in a very artistic moment the camera picks up two separate sets of their silhouettes. Necro is out with a chair looking to hit Aries, but Aries tells him to think about it… and Necro decides against it. Then he pu8shes both off the ladder and both go flying! That looked insane! They disappeared into the abyss, so to speak and Necro walks away. Both men crawl to each other even though they are both broken and beaten up as finally refs and officials come to tend to the damaged bodies of both men.
Conclusions:
Three matches over four stars and no complaints about production quality this time around—yeah, that's a good thing right there. The show went at a brisk pace and never seemed to be hard to follow.
If you're following the Pay Per Views you're not going to be lost by anything that is presented. PPV continuity is still present, but there is also the building of new program such as Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. Age of the Fall and the surprise appearance of Lance Storm. The shame of this PPV is that if you are an avid follower of ROH beyond the PPVs, you know that certain parts of this show are already out of date. Adam Pearce's promo for instance, unfortunately falls on the day after we learned he is done with ROH. They are going to have to scramble to explain his departure after the next PPV. Albright has already won and lost the NWA Heavyweight Title. Claudio Castagnoli has already turned heel and here he is being almost universally cheered on by a crowd hoping he can dethrone McGuinness. Delirious has turned heel and there has been no foreshadowing of his crisis involving Daizee Haze and Rhett Titus. It's a by-product of the way the PPV tapings work and if you watch the DVDs on a consistent basis, all you can do is grin and bear the frustration of having to fit this in with the DVD continuity.
I am happy to see that some of the things I noticed that could be improved on previous PPVs have been worked on. Last time I suggested the use of a clip of Jimmy attacking Lacey and the increased usage of clips from other shows as well as the usage of videowire vignettes to help support the matches. We see all of that on "New Horizons". It was the right call to include the segments of the Briscoes on their farm and the Claudio title match preparation—they only strengthened the character development of each. In addition, the "Broken and Sscarred" move clips are back and once again well executed. That AND the increased use of slo-motion and replays focuses and re-emphasizes the important moments. All of these elements together really help to put together ROH as a comprehensive package.
Video and audio quality was on the upper end of the scale we've been seeing thus far on PPV. The video was generally solid, although the occasional "hot lights" problem still showed up on certain camera shots. Audio was actually really good this time around, as both in-ring and backstage promos were easily heard and understood.
The only major criticism I would have is in the management and presentation of the No Remorse Corps break up and subsequent Roderick Strong babyface turn. Only a brief clip of Richards attacking Strong was shown. None of the context surrounding Sweeney attempting to buy out the NRC or Richards' mistreatment was ever mentioned. And while Strong is not the best on promos, I wouldn't have minded a short explanation from him on what happened and why he was going after Sweeny and company. The NRC had a huge presence on ROH Pay Per View, especially during the first year. You'd think the break up angle would have been handled better. Unfortunately this has sort of become a pattern with ROH PPVs and how they deal with wrestler exits (BJ Whitmer and Lacey for instance). I also have to say that Necro's decision to push both Jacobs and Aries off the ladder was underplayed, as there was no overt explanation that Jacobs had been pushing Necro too far in the role of his soldier and that he finally had enough.
Overall: Ring of Honor's eighth Pay Per View is a smash success of an effort. It's a well paced show that has ROH's now trademark excellent quality matches and is also showing signs of maturation and development in terms of angles and production elements. It would be a shame to miss this Pay Per View, because ROH pretty much nailed it for this one. Overall Rating: 9.0
The Money Players: August / September 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—August 2008
- Nigel McGuinness (NIGE) : Could I really give the award for August to any other man but the ROH World champion? Sure you could make the case for Brent Albright winning the NWA Heavyweight Title or Tyler Black and Bryan Danielson for tremendous performances or to El Generico for coming through with a huge match in Cleveland. Really, though, when it comes down to it, Nigel McGuinness was the thread that tied all of the ROH shows together in August. He took on all comers for the ROH World Championship and put them all down. Better than that, he upped his championship presence in the face of all of these tough challenges. Not only did he come out on top and remained the champion, but he then proceeded to rub it in the faces of all the fans. McGuinness IS the top dog in the company right now and his efforts in getting people to hate him enough to want to see anyone take him down should be commended.
Money Players of the Month— September 2008
-Bryan Danielson (ADBD) : The ironies don't stop when it comes to the rivalry between McGuinness and Danielson. Even in this feature you can see them meet head to head. Danielson wins the Moneyplayers award for September despite Steen & Generico coming through with the ROH World Tag Team Titles. This is because Danielson had an incredibly impressive month the whole way through, racking up major wins after major wins as his momentum builds up towards an ROH World Title shot in Chicago in November. Danielson OWNED the trip to Japan, defeating current champion McGuinness in a non-title match, unseating Kanemura for the GHC Jr. Heavyweight Championship, defending that belt in America against Nakajima and of course finally earning his way to a PPV title shot by defeating Claudio Castagnoli and Go Shiozaki in an elimination three way. That's an unbeatable list of accomplishments that put American Dragon over the top.
The Money Players of 2008:
September 2008: Bryan Danielson (ADBD)
August 2008: Nigel McGuinness (NIGE)
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
Fear and panic is hitting the Wall Street index in the wake of financial crises galore. However, rest assured that the ROH stock index is still operating under normal procedures. The market may be volatile with its various ups and downs, but it's still here and kicking.
Breadwinners STOCK UP!
-Go Shiozaki (GOGO): From a loss leader to a top money maker in under two months, that is just how quickly the stock market can turn into your favor. Shiozaki and Sweeney's merger seemed to be an initial bust, but an influx of cash from Heartbreak Enterprises (HBXE) helped secure the FIP Heavyweight Title for Shiozaki and put a major feather in the cap of The Inc.
-Brent Albright (ALBR):Another man who was on the losing side of things the last time we visited the stock market but who has turned things around for the better. A win against Adam Pearce at a major show like Death Before Dishonor created a huge rally for ALBR stocks. He'll have to watch out though, because the recent los of the NWA Heavyweight Title and an injury may downgrade his value. His potential earnings may be enough to keep folks interested, especially the speculators, but conservative investors may run away in droves if an update on his condition isn't released soon.
-Kevin Steen (KSTN) and El Generico (OLE!) : The NEW ROH World Tag Team Champions made for the biggest one day gain in ROH stock market history. Steen and Generico are the "it" sensation of the season and that means right now they can do no wrong. If you picked this stock up in early 2007 and held onto it in your portfolio, you are now reaping the benefits.
-The Briscoes (BRSC) : A huge win against The Age of the Fall at the recent Steel Cage Warfare match seems to have elevated their net worth and put them in position to once again corner the market on tag team competition. They'll have to watch out for current champs Steen & Generico and The Motor City Machine Guns, but the investors love The Briscoes for their moxie and their unconventional methods of doing business.
-Nigel McGuinness (NIGE): McGuinness usually is listed first among breadwinning stocks, but not this time. Even though he has retained the title time and again over the last few months, investors are concerned that he may not be treating upcoming opponent Danielson seriously enough. The loss to Danielson, albeit in a non-title situation, was enough to have investors show some concern. There was a temporary decrease in value, but McGuinness seems to have alleviated most fears with a title retention on PPV in Boston and a brilliant victory in Philadelphia.
Loss Leaders STOCK DOWN!
-Adam Pearce (PRCE): The corporate baron was hoisted on his own petard out of the stock index. He will be moving to the NWADAQ and will look to make a killing there. However, his ROH stock value for now, is done.
-Daizee Haze (HAZE): HAZE stocks made crucial business errors, including lack of judgement and foresight , which have weakened its position. The trending spike is downward and pretty much in your face. HAZE will need to rally in the coming months or it may soon find itself out of business.
-Rhett Titus (TTUS): Exposed for his sleazy business practices, investors are now worried he is swindling money from corporate accounts for liaisons with all sorts of women. Old ladies stay away from this one.
Trendsetters
-Foreign Exchange: Ring of Honor continues the good relationship between itself and the Dragon Gate and NOAH indexes with its latest tour of Japan. An influx of wrestlers from both companies on Ring of Honor shows have allowed for great profit on both sides. Crossover agreements and talent exchanges continue to set a positive tone for these giants of the independent wrestling world.
Evaluations On
-Chris Hero (HERO): That "Young Knock Out Kid" has successfully rebranded himself and in convincing fashion. Many now believe that HERO means business and that could lead to increased profit and positive future growth. HERO is known for being ruthless in business practice, knocking out the competition whenever possible to move up in the rankings. Investors and board members alike love to see that kind of mentality executed.
Future Outlooks
(+) POSITIVE: Chris Hero (up), Kevin Steen (up), El Generico (up), Go Shiozaki (up), Davey Richards (up), Eddie Edwards (up), Shane Hagadorn (up), Jason Blade (up), Kenny King (up), Jerry Lynn Delirious, Austin Aries, , Nigel McGuiness, Jay Briscoe, Mark Briscoe, Naomichi Marufuji, Bryan Danielson, Roderick Strong
(/) NEUTRAL: Claudio Castagnoli (up), Erick Stevens (down), Brent Albright (down) , Jigsaw (down) , Rhett Titus (down), Silas Young (down), Kenny Omega (down), Sal Rinauro
(-) NEGATIVE: Daizee Haze, Julius Smokes, Tank Toland, Ruckus, Jack Evans
Added: Jerry Lynn
Dropped: Adam Pearce, Rocky Romero, Pelle Primeau
Found on the Black Market: Age of the Fall, Ninja White, Ninja Yellow, Ninja Blue, Ninja Black
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 Shane Hagadorn (HAGA) Julius Smokes (SMOK)--MIA and may soon be dropped from the list if he doesn't make more appearances. Jason Blade (BLAD) Eddie Edwards (EDED)--"Mr. Entertainment" supposedly did very well in Japan, so expect more from the "number one prospect" of Sweet & Sour Inc. very soon. Rhett Titus (TTUS) Kenny King (KKNG)-- A loss to Kenny King could be viewed as a set back, but my guess is that it won't be.
--Still just one cent Eddie Osiris (EOSI) Mitch Franklin (MFRN)--changing into a lumberjack may be the ticket to get Franklin out of the penny stocks. Keep watching the market. Bobby Dempsey (BDEM) Alex Payne (PAYN) Dingo (DNGO)
Closing Thoughts / Ring the Bell: ROH Owner and President Cary Silkin makes a very rare and special appearance on the stock market podium to help alleviate the fears of the investors about the future of the ROH stock market and proudly rings the closing bell for this month's market. Until next time, the market is closed.
Going Home
Honor System: following what's naughty and what's not in ROH:
Honorable
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-keeping guard to make sure Sweeney doesn't pull any shenanigans.
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-Nigel giving credit to Claudio when it was due.
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-kicking the camera man and Jimmy Bower out of your locker room because you are frustrated.
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-asking a woman if she wants to be the meat in a "Machine Guns" sandwich (it was funny though).
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-giving in to your basest anger and spiking the girl of your dreams.
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Dishonorable
Once again that's going to be it for me for this week's column. Next time I'll present my top ten most successful ROH World Tag Team Champions list and much more!
