Column of Honor 12.20.08: Preparing for (Final) Battle
Posted by Ari Berenstein on 12.20.2008
A huge preview of Ring of Honor's year closing events, "All Star Extravaganza IV" and "Final Battle 2008". Then, CM Punk's "Straight Edge" promo is the finale for Classic Promo Month II! Finally, I have some severe criticisms of "Return of the 187", which aside from Homicide (andhispalhernandez), sucked pretty badly.
Welcome to the Column.
Ring Toss
-ROH Call
-ROH News
- Preparing for Final Battle
-"Classic" Promos Month II: Week Four
-Honorarium
-Get with the pROHgram
-ROH @ 411
-Honor Bound Links
ROH Call
ROH Champions—As of 12/20/2008
ROH World Champion—Nigel McGuinness (champion since 10/06/07, 31 successful defenses)
-defeated Takeshi Morishima in Edison, New Jersey to win the championship.
Next Defense: vs. Naomichi Marufuji, Manhattan, NY, 12/27/08
V.1 defeated Jay Briscoe, wristlock submission (10/21/07 San Francisco, CA)
V.2 defeated Chris Hero, wristlock submission (11/02/07 Philadelphia, PA)
V.3 defeated Austin Aries, Jawbreaker Lariat (12/29/07 Manhattan, NY)
V.4 defeated Go Shiozaki, London Dungeon (wristlock submission) (01/20/08 Tokyo, Japan,)
V.5 Steel Cage Match: defeated Chris Hero (01/25/08, Dayton, OH)
V.6 defeated Roderick Strong, Jawbreaker Lariat (01/26/08, Chicago Ridge, IL)
V.7 defeated Bryan Danielson, London Dungeon (02/23/08, Manhattan, NY)
V.8 defeated Tyler Black, London Dungeon (03/16/08, Philadelphia, PA)
V.9 defeated Larry Sweeney, Jawbreaker Lariat (03/22/08 Crystal River, FL)
V.10 defeated Austin Aries, Jawbreaker Lariat (03/29/08 Orlando, FL)
V.11 defeated Erick Stevens, London Dungeon (04/11/08 Boston, MA)
V.12 defeated Kevin Steen, roll up holding the ropes (04/12/08 Edison, NJ)
V.13 defeated Kevin Steen, Jawbreaker Lariat (04/19/08 Chicago Ridge, IL)
V.14 defeated Claudio Castagnoli, London Dungeon, (05/10/08, Manhattan, NY)
V.15 defeated KENTA and BJ Whitmer, Jawbreaker Lariat to Whitmer (05/15/08, Tokyo, Japan)
V.16 defeated Go Shiozaki, London Dungeon (06/07/08, Philadelphia, PA)
V.17 defeated Vic Viper, London Dungeon (06/14/08, Tallaght, Ireland)
V.18 defeated Keith Myatt and Lionheart, (06/20/08, Doncaster, U.K.)
V.19 (title for title) defeated NWA Champion Adam Pearce, Jawbreaker Lariat (06/27/08, Dayton, OH) *match later reversed via DQ, both men keep their respective titles.
V.20 defeated Kevin Steen, Lariat off Turbuckle, (07/25/08, Toronto, ONT, CN)
V.21 defeated Claudio Castagnoli, Jawbreaker Lariat (07/26/08, Detroit, MI)
V.22 defeated Ruckus, London Dungeon (08/01/08, Manassas, VA)
V.23 Four Way Elimination Match: defeated Bryan Danielson, Tyler Black & Claudio Castagnoli (08/02/08, Manhattan, NY)
V.24 defeated El Generico, London Dungeon (08/15/08, Cleveland, OH )
V.25 defeated Jimmy Jacobs, Jawbreaker Lariat (09/14/08, Tokyo, Japan)
V.26 defeated Roderick Strong, (09/19/08, Boston, MA)
V.27 defeated El Generico, roll up, (09/20/08, Philadelphia, PA)
V.28 Four Way Elimination Match: defeated Go Shiozaki, El Generico & Kevin Steen (11/07/08, Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
V.29 lost via disqualification to Necro Butcher (11/08/08, Markham, Ontario, Canada) Champion retains on a DQ.
V.30 defeated Bryan Danielson, Jawbreaker Lariat (11/22/08, Chicago Ridge, IL)
V. 31 defeated Jerry Lynn, pin using ropes (12/06/08, Nashville, TN)
**
ROH World Tag Team Champions—Kevin Steen & El Generico (champions since 09/19/08, 3 successful defenses)
-defeated The Age of the Fall of Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black on September 19th, 2008 in Boston, MA to win the championship.
Next Defense: vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Delirious, Manhattan, NY 12/27/08
V.1 defeated Jay & Mark Briscoe (11/08/08, Markham, Ontario, Canada)
V.2 defeated Jimmy Jacobs & Delirious (11/21/08. Dayton, OH)
V.3 defeated Jay & Mark Briscoe (11/22/08, Chicago Ridge, IL)
**
NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion: Blue Demon Jr. (since 10/25/2008) -defeated Adam Pearce via submission with a half crab to win the title. FIP Heavyweight Champion: Go Shiozaki (since 08/23/2008) -defeated Erick Stevens via pinfall with help from the Heartbreak Enterprises to win the title. SHIMMER Champion: MsChif (since 4/26/2008) -defeated Sara Del Ray via pinfall with the Descrator DDT to win the title Top of the Class Trophy (for ROH Students): Rhett "Addicted to Love" Titus (since 06/07/2008) -defeated Ernie Osiris via pinfall to win the trophy. Sweet & Sour Incorporated Presents The Intergender Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Of The World—Chris Hero & Sara Del Rey (since 01/12/08)
**
Top Feuds & Pairings:
-Bryan Danielson vs. Claudio Castagnoli
-Dissension between Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black
-Brent Albright, Roderick Strong & Erick Stevens vs. Sweet & Sour Inc.
-Jerry Lynn runs the contention ladder to an ROH World Title shot
-The Briscoes take on more of a "bad" attitude"
-Daizee Haze wants to save Delirious and restore her name.
ROH News
(via the ROHnewswire… and other sources when attributed)
Major News
Update on the HDNet talks
From the Observer, TV talks with HDNet are continuing. Within the company, not much is being talked about because they've had plenty of potential TV deals over the years come and go and have gotten jaded enough to not get excited until things are really going to happen. Plus, unlike some of the other deals that came and went, HDNet still is only in a relatively small number of homes.
Taking the wait-and-see route is always the best for these sorts of negotiations. Nothing along these lines ever gets done overnight, and even when the deal looks promising it can come and go in a flash. I have to reiterate my stance that HDNet is not the best platform for ROH wrestling programming, that if they insist on going to a television show format in some regard that they can do better than that.
More on Pearce Reducing Role
More from the Observer, this time Meltzer's update on Pearce reducing his booking role in the company:
It will be interesting how the booking situation plays out. Adam Pearce sent everyone an e-mail saying that because he has a regular job, while he will remain as booker, he is doing a lot more delegating, as apparently he was starting to become overwhelmed with the job. He told people in the e-mail that his job wouldn't allow him to attend Friday night shows, so Austin Aries would be in charge and carrying out his orders on those shows. He would still be at Saturday night events. He also said that if talent needed to ask any questions, they should contact Larry Sweeney as his liaison and assistant booker instead of him.
What happened was twofold, first being that there was the realization of just how much work booking really entails, and also a change in Pearce's work situation. From the start, because he has a regular job and with a wife and young son, he's not going to put all his eggs in the wrestling basket, there were going to be Friday shows he would miss, but now he's officially putting Aries in charge of handling those shows. Sweeney, who just got let go from his regular job, has more free time so was put in the spot to deal directly with the wrestlers.
Cary Silkin has more input into the booking and is said to be the happiest he's been, and keeping him happy is a key to keeping the doors open.
I was never one of the ones who was down on Pearce in the ring, but…is it too late to get Gabe back? Now this news is a bit off putting—Larry Sweeney lost his job???? How does he expect to pay his men in Sweet & Sour?
Okay, on a serious note, hopefully this re-ordering is just what Pearce needs to get comfortable and find his groove. It's only been two months or so since he started booking the company, hopefully it doesn't overwhelm him. 2009 is really where the new booking direction and new programs should become clear, so I'm still willing to give him, Aries and whoever else is contributing to the booking (even that "Dirty" Ernie Osiris) the same chance I've always said I would give him. Right now I'm just in the middle of "Ring of Homicide 2", which is the last of the Saplolsky shows, so I don't even know how the new shows will be yet.
ROH to Run Wrestlemania Weekend in Houston Ring of Honor will present their annual Wrestlemania weekend shows in Houston, TX on Friday, April 3rd with an 8pm bell time and Saturday, April 4th with a special 3pm belltime. Both events will take place at the George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, TX 77010. Tickets for both events will go on sale Thursday, December 18th at 11am EST at www.rohwrestling.com.
The ROH Wrestlemania weekend shows were up in the air for a bit there, but confirmation came this week, which is great news for fans in Texas. ROH has run shows during Wrestlemania weekend since 2004, with At Our Best in New Jersey coinciding with WM XX in New York City. Since then they've had "Supercard of Honor" shows coincide in date and location with the annual Wrestlemania shows. The good thing is that this year the Saturday show will be a matinee event in order to allow fans access to the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. It stops the fans from having to make a choice between the two events and will also hopefully lead to those who would have chose the Hall of Fame over the ROH show to come to both events.
Meltzers Also Notes That… Expect in 2009, considerably less usage of Japanese talent because of the cost. The deals for Takeshi Morishima, Naomichi Marufuji, Kensuke Sasaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima were all largely set up by Gabe Sapolsky before he was let go. It's not that they won't be used at all, but it'll be fewer and less frequent.
The advance for 12/27 in New York indicates a good shot at the biggest crowd in company history.
The company is also hoping to market themselves in grassroots circles as the company featured in "The Wrestler," hoping it'll help get them more press after the movie is released.
I expected the reduction in use of the Japanese talents in the 2009. My guess is that they will make the major shows and maybe one or two of the "B" cities to be used as drawing cards for shows that might not be as major as Glory By Honor or Supercard of Honor. The Hammerstein had a record crowd the first time out and then dipped under 2,000 for Death Before Dishonor VI (which was the better show of the two)—but my guess is that the final ROH show of the year is going to pack the house.
Aronofsky comments on Ring of Honor
These (mostly positive) comments about ROH comes from the Director of "The Wrestler", Darren Aronofsky from an article found here.
AC: So that's a big lapse until you started watching wrestling again. What struck you most as what had changed since you were watching it as a kid?
DA: When I was a kid, I would stay up. It was late night on channel 11 – the local station. It was hard to watch. Now it's prime time. It's completely changed. It's become such a show. I actually went to a WrestleMania when we were producing a couple of years ago - me and Scott Franklin. And it was amazing how unathletic – they weren't even touching each other sometimes. And then seeing Ring of Honor and seeing some of these small leagues where it seems it was focused much more on the wrestling and less on the dramatics of it. I think the dramatics were not as big [back then.] All they would do were these little announcements with Mean Gene into the camera to set up next week. But now, with all these plots and things, I don't really watch it. I'll flip through the channel now because of my movie and I'll stop for a little bit to see what's going on. But it seems like there's so little wrestling going on.
AC: Except for places, like you said, like Ring of Honor. What was your impression of Ring of Honor?
DA: I liked it. I thought it's an interesting balance, where, I believe all the audience knows it's fake, and yet they're into the sort of athleticism of it. And yet, it doesn't go as far as the hardcore stuff where it's people hurting themselves for the sake of the audience enjoying them hurting themselves. I thought it was kind of rough and tough and they put on a really good show.
People Named Daisy Do Not Love Rhett Titus
In an update, Rhett Titus did not make the reality dating show "Daisy of Love" because he did not make the highest number of votes in a late stage of the competition. However, there is still a chance he could make the show as the producers could still pick people who were not the top vote getters. Apparently Titus needs to avoid anyone named "Daisy", "Daizee" or any derivations thereof.
Samoa Joe vs. Tyler Black to be included on "Escalation" DVD A special bonus match has been added to the DVD release of the 11/21 "Escalation" event from Dayton, OH. Recently in Chicago, Samoa Joe made his long awaited return to an ROH ring. Now, as part of the Dayton DVD, you can see Samoa Joe vs. Tyler Black in its entirety. Check out this first time ever match, and get a sneak peak at the new production equipment that was used for the PPV taping. We hope to have this DVD available to purchase at www.rohwrestling.com later this month and at the merchandise table during Final Battle weekend.
There has been precedent before with ROH mixing and matching bouts from one DVD to another—and I can't say that it's not smart to put a match that will draw plenty of buyers on a DVD that was widely panned as one of the worst of the year so that you can increase buys of that show. Although actually, maybe it's short sighted, because if fans buy that DVD to see Joe vs. Black and watch the rest and see a below average show, is that really going to motivate future purchases? I would have kept the match on the DVD of the PPV in order to give a greater overall impression of ROH (the PPV was given high marks, especially the Danielson vs. McGuinness main event) to any new fans who were interested in the product and who wanted to see Joe in the ROH environment.
Match Additions and Subtractions
Philadelphia, PA 12/26/08
Roderick Strong & Brent Albright vs. Kensuke Sasaki & Katshuiko Nakajima: Roderick Strong's challenge was answered as announced on the main page this morning at http://www.rohwrestling.com/news/article.aspx?id=2455. The Kensuke Office agreed to a tag team match on 12/26 in Philadelphia, and Strong has selected Brent Albright to team with against Sasaki and Nakajima. The four men in this match surely know how to "bring it", and without question the fans in Philadelphia are in for one hell of a ride. Sasaki said he wanted ROH's "toughest", and it's hard to argue that there are any tougher than Roderick Strong and Brent Albright!
American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) vs. Nigel McGuinness & Claudio Castagnoli vs. The Briscoes: Larry Sweeney and the American Wolves wanted to make a statement and face two teams in Philadelphia on 12/26. We now know who one of the teams will be. In huge news, Claudio Castagnoli and ROH World Champion, Nigel McGuinness, have petitioned to be a part of this match. This is particularly risky for McGuinness, who only 24 hours later will face Naomichi Marufuji in New York for the ROH World Title. Sweeney, normally overflowing with sarcasm, shockingly had no comment after learning that Nigel and Claudio were signed to the match. ROH officials did not offer who the third team might be, but said they expect to have that announcement this week. … Early this morning, the Briscoe Brothers faxed back signed contracts to enter themselves into the 3-Way-Tag Challenge on 12/26 in Philly! Larry Sweeney looks to have opened his mouth too soon when he proclaimed that the American Wolves would take the world by storm. Now, because of Sweeney's arrogance, Richards and Edwards will have to go through perhaps the toughest challenge scheduled for Final Battle Weekend!
Kevin Steen , El Generico & Necro Butcher vs. Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black & Delrious Jimmy Jacobs sent word late Sunday night that Necro, Steen, and El Generico will never get the six-man-tag match they want. Jacobs still can't believe that anyone would be stupid enough to expect him to do business with the Briscoe Brothers under any circumstances. Jacobs has stated, however, that he's not opposed to entering himself, Tyler Black, and Delirious into battle. In fact, he's now challenged Steen, Generico, and Necro to face the AOTF in Philly on the 26th! Don't forget that Jacobs has also lodged a complaint with the ROH Booking Committee, claiming that he and Delirious should receive another Tag Title shot based on the "unfair playing field" he alleges they faced several weeks back. We're waiting for a determination from ROH officials on whether or not these charges merit any action. … The Age of the Fall will get a big helping of Steen and Generico over Final Battle Weekend as now official for December 26 in Philly will be the 6-man-tag match that has been rumored for some time. Jacobs, Delirious, and Tyler Black will go head up with Steen, Generico, and the Necro Butcher! There's plenty of tension going into this one as the Necro Butcher is always looking for a reason to get after the AOTF. This will also afford Jacobs and Delirious a valuable opportunity to soften up the Tag Champs, only 24 hours before the titles are up for grabs!
Manhattan, NY 12/27/08
Four Corner Survival: Chris Hero vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Rhett Titus vs. Necro Butcher: The ever flamboyant Titus has challenged Necro to enter the Four Corner Survival on 12/27 in midtown Manhattan. Already signed are Chris Hero, Jerry Lynn, and Titus. Necro isn't known for backing down from any challenge, so we hope to have confirmation this week! … It didn't take long for the Necro Butcher to answer the challenge laid out by Rhett Titus at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBxj6zOB50k. Necro emphatically told ROH officials on late Tuesday night that he would love the chance to enter the Four Corner Survival on December 27 in New York City. "Titus is gonna learn his lesson", said the Butcher. "And he's gonna learn well. I never back down from a challenge. Not in the ROH/CZW Wars, not when I was with the Age of the Fall, and sure as hell not now. I'm coming for you Titus." This completes the completely stacked Four Corner Survival as Necro joins Rhett Titus, Chris Hero, and Jerry Lynn at the Hammerstein!
Number One Contender's Match: Austin Aries vs. Tyler Black: It's official. After listening to claims made by both competitors and weighing the situation very carefully, ROH officials have sanctioned a huge match for 12/27 at Final Battle! The heat between Tyler Black and Austin Aries has been building, especially after Black scored a clean pinfall over Aries in suburban St. Louis earlier this month. Now these two will battle it out again. This time, ROH officials have upped the ante. Austin Aries and Tyler Black meet in New York, and the winner of this contest will be declared the Number One contender to the ROH World Championship!
ROH World Tag Team Title Match: Kevin Steen & El Generico (c) vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Delirious: Kevin Steen and El Generico made the call, and the ROH booking committee answered. Both Steen and Generico heard the complaints lodged by Jimmy Jacobs, and they've decided to take matters into their own hands. On December 27 at the Hammerstein, the World Tag Titles will be on the line once again as Steen and Generico don't want there to be any questions or doubts as to who the better team is. Steen commented, "Jacobs wants everyone to believe that Rhett Titus somehow cost them the titles last month. Well, that's fine, then we'll put him on the spot, on ROH's biggest stage, and no one will walk away from New York with any questions left unanswered. We are one of the best tag teams on Earth, and we'll be happy to show everyone why on the 27th!"
Character Developments
- ROH World Tag Team Champions, Kevin Steen and El Generico, have both made phone calls to the ROH Booking Committee in the last 48 hours to discuss the claims made by Jimmy Jacobs that he and Delirious had the deck stacked against them in Dayton last month. Steen, in particular, was outraged that Jacobs brought what he called "complete bull" to the Committee in hopes of landing another title shot.
- ROH officials received a surprising phone call this morning. It seems someone wants to return to their old stomping grounds.
Kayfabe Quote of the Week: "This is preposterous! What have those three goons done to merit a shot at my crew of superstar athletes, much less under these rules? ROH officials have been trying to get rid of me for two years now and this is just a scheme to make that happen! But don't you worry, don't you fret, I guarantee that those three Neanderthals will REGRET the day they said no to Larry Sweeney!" – Larry Sweeney
ROH Home Theatre Station
ROH Videowire: December 16th, 2008
RHETT TITUS IS NOT (NOT) A VIRGIN!
Preparing for Final Battle
Ring of Honor's annual Final Battle event has become the literal and at times the figurative end of the road for the wrestlers and feuds of the year. There are always marquee matches, including important title matches and some grudge burying encounters. There are guest stars making special appearances and there is the usual appearance of December's frigid weather enhancing the atmosphere around all of the event.
Like some of the other events that have become annual traditions in the company including Death Before Dishonor and Glory By Honor, Final Battle has seen its share of important events. Last year the tag titles changed hands when The Age of the Fall of Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black ripped the ROH World Tag Team Championships from the dominant Briscoe Brothers, while Erick Stevens won the FIP World Heavyweight Title from Roderick Strong. In 2006 Homicide brought the party to Grand Ballroom in New York City when he unseated Bryan Danielson to become the ROH World Champion. 2005 saw Edison New Jersey revel in Generation Next of Austin Aries and Strong winning the tag straps KENTA and Marufuji made their major show debuts, including the classic Low Ki vs. KENTA match. 2004 is of course famous for Austin Aries vs. Samoa Joe and the end of Joe's twenty-one month ROH title run. 2003 was an interesting combination of marquee ROH matches in the first half, capped by Christopher Daniels' revelation that he attacked CM Punk's then-girlfriend Lucy (a.k.a. Daphney). The second half was All Japan Pro Wrestling vs. Ring of Honor in a series of four matches culminating in a special appearance by The Great Muta (Keiji Mutoh, who five years later is experiencing another resurgence in popularity in capturing two of the three major Japanese championships). 2002 was the first show whose major match was a four way title match that ended in a 45 minute draw.
This year feels a little like a combination of 2003's version, with a focus on international talent (almost a series of matches), combined with some grudges that were coming to a head and of course two marquee attraction bouts featuring international talent. That is in thanks to the appearance of the international talent from Kensuke Office and Pro Wrestling NOAH. Kensuke Sasaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima are returning to mix it up with Ring of Honor talent, meanwhile Takeshi Morishima, Go Shiozaki and Naomichi Marufuji, all regular guest stars this year, will be fighting in rather major matches, some against each other and some against Ring of Honor's top flight talent such as Bryan Danielson and champion Nigel McGuinness.
However, like those years, it doesn't seem all that likely we will see the storyline culmination of many feuds and pairings. Rather these matches seem set to be great in-ring bouts but are mostly variations of rematches or new set ups that are in furtherance of previous grudges or built in a way to head in a new direction with others. For instance, The Age of the Fall is continuing a mini-feud with the current tag champions Kevin Steen and El Generico. Tyler Black and Austin Aries will tangle one more time this year, but with contender status to the World title where the title shot won't happen until sometime in early 2009. Nigel McGuinness puts the title on the line against top flight wrestler Naomichi Marufuji in a rematch of a spectacular bout they had two years ago in New York City.
The only major feud that will likely be coming to an end will be Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima, which was one of the hottest pairings of Fall and Winter 2007, but has died down this year thanks to Morishima's commitments as GHC champion during most of 2008 and Danielson placement on a track to fight Nigel McGuinness for ROH's big title throughout most of the year. Now both men come together to reprise the match and put a finale on the series. They are both really good at selling hatred and enmity, so it certainly won't be too hard to suspend disbelief. They will make it seem that they want to0 kill each other and I think the crowd will really get into it and want to see them do just that.
It's clear that Ring of Honor is putting everything it can into their two year-end shows this weekend. Previous shows under the new booking regime have put the focus of the in-ring quality wrestling on the second half of the show. These two shows are undeniably top-to-bottom style cards that are meant to go all out from beginning to end of the show. Aside from the Rising Above PPV taping in Chicago this past November there haven't been cards this deep in attraction bouts since Glory By Honor VII in September. Whether the style of the previous shows is dominant or if these shows become like the old "supercards" Ring of Honor fans have become accustomed to for the major shows is the big question that remains unanswered.
Let's take a look at the cards to Friday's "All Star Extravaganza IV" in Philadelphia and Saturday's "Final Battle 2008" in Manhattan:
"All Star Extravaganza IV"
December 26th, 2008
8:00 pm belltime
New Alhambra Arena (former ECW Arena)
7 Ritner Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
First Time Ever- Dream Match #1
Austin Aries vs. Naomichi Marufuji
It was 2006 that Aries fought KENTA in what was a really good back and forth match—both men had very complimentary styles and both brought speed, agility and an exciting air game in that match. Aries and Marufuji present a similar situation in that they are complimentary in the previous mentioned categories, but I suspect in addition to the back and forth impact-for-impact style we'll also get some unique chain sequences and avoidance psychology to set the tone for the duration of the bout. This bout, positioned in the advertising as the main event, is very interesting in terms of connection to the next night's show. Aries has the number one contender's match against Black, but Marufuji is going for the title. What do you place as the higher priority—putting over the man who gets the shot the next night, or putting over the man who could be getting the next title shot? I say Marufuji goes over here, but it will be a close bout.
First Time Ever- Dream Match #2
Bryan Danielson vs. Jerry Lynn
I'm a bit confused as to which Jerry Lynn we'll see in this match—the Jerry Lynn who was calm and happy and ready to fight hard but honorably against a man he respected, or the Jerry Lynn who lost his cool backstage and blew up at McGuinness for being called old and fragile such that no one wanted to wrestle him? We saw both sides of Lynn in back-to-back video wires and its a bit of a conflicting picture in terms of his characterization. A loss here could likely push Lynn over the edge and snap, but it almost seemed like that's where Aries seemed to be going in the latest video wire. I don't think we'll have two wrestlers turn heel in the same weekend because of losses, so I say we get a respectful match between Danielson and Lynn and that while Lynn might tease going nuts due to frustrations, it won't actually happen. I look forward to this bout because I'm sure we'll see a lot of great grappling and countering sequences, between the two of them I think we'll get some exciting near falls and false finishes leading up to the Danielson Special—putting together suplexes and transitions into and out of the Cattle Mutilation until the opponent is forced to submit.
Three Way Tag Match
ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness & Claudio Castagnoli vs. The American Wolves of Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards with Larry Sweeney vs. Jay & Mark Briscoe
The context of this is different, as the heel teams challenged to fight top competition, and then they were given exactly that. Now it seems that Richards and Edwards are fighting out of their depth because they take on one of the top tag teams in ROH history and a combination of the ROH World Champion and his extremely skilled Swiss partner. This isn't elimination rules, but it could be added in at the last moment. It would be a minor upset if Richards and Edward won a fall against The Briscoes and a major one if they did it against McGuinness and Castagnoli. However, the ROH tag division is quickly in need of new top contenders to the title for Steen & Generico (if you notice by the end of the year they will have faced the same two teams twice thus far in their title run), so I wouldn't be so averse to the former scenario. It also creates a new rivalry with The Briscoes, who need a fresh feud for the fans to reinvest in them. The Briscoes have been kept in short matches due to Mark's injury, so they may also see limited time in this one in order to keep Mark healthy and keep both ready to fight their biggest bout of the weekend the next night in New York.
Tag Team Challenge Match
Kensuke Sasaki & Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Roderick Strong & Brent Albright
I like the storyline that Strong is upset about losing to Sasaki in Japan and wants to redeem himself. I really like that Albright is partnering up with him because that means we get to see Brent where he is best—matching up power for power against someone like Sasaki, and then being a dominating monster against smaller men (relatively speaking) such as Nakajima. The risk factor here is the Philadelphia crowd which were surprisingly rather cold to Sasaki at Glory By Honor, but hopefully different opponents who match up well with him will alleviate the problem of crowd reaction. Nakajima did the job last time, but I don't think that he and Sasaki will lose here, so that they can build up the big to-do with The Briscoes. It is somewhat conceivable Albright and Strong could win here, but not by pinning or submitting Sasaki.
Six Man Tag Team Grudge Match
ROH World Tag Team Champions Kevin Steen & El Generico & The Necro Butcher vs. Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black, & Delirious
I recall last year Steen & Generico were involved in a six man tables are legal match—that didn't turn out so well for them. I think even with Necro in tow, that we may be in for the same result. The Age of the Fall could use a big win as a unit to rebound from recent losses. If Black and Jacobs are going to split, a loss here wouldn't be out of the question. Some drama between Daizee Haze and Delirious could also ensue, perhaps with Delirious snapping out of whatever psychotic state he is in and turning on Age of the Fall. I think all six men will be working hard to have a good match and that this could definitely be one of the under card show stealers.
Pro Wrestling NOAH Special Attraction
Takeshi Morishima vs. Go Shiozaki
No sooner do I say that than this match presents itself. Morishima and Shiozaki is a marquee match for fans who understand its significance. Here is the guy who made his big impact in ROH in 2007 with a regular stay as champion up against a man who travelled a similar path this year. This could be looked at as Go's "graduation" match in ROH, where he truly steps up to the next level. Or it could just be he is being fed to Morishima in order to prepare for the Danielson match the next night. The thing for ROH is that a Danielson win against Morishima would mean a lot, so a loss beforehand to a NOAH guy wouldn't do any favors to Morishima's perception coming into that match. So the big guy (well, the bigger guy) for the win.
Grudge Match
Erick Stevens vs. Chris Hero with Larry Sweeney
I know that Stevens has been victimized plenty by Sweet & Sour Incorporated, but this should have been Strong vs. Hero (or at least that should have been booked in New York if they weren't going to do Steel Cage Warfare), because Strong has been the one who has been thoroughly dominated by Hero and could use the big win. Therefore I see Stevens losing this one to Hero and the KO loaded elbow.
Singles Action
Kenny Omega vs. Rhett Titus
After recanting his testimony about being a virgin, Titus will have to work even harder to get his groove on, and I think a win here against Omega would do just that. Omega has impressed people left and right, but a loss here won't kill him, especially considering he is just getting started on what seems like a longer run in the company.
Final Battle 2008
December 27th, 2008
7:30 pm belltime
Manhattan Center (Hammerstein Ballroom)
311 West 34th St.
New York, NY 10001
ROH World Title Match
Nigel McGuinness defends vs. Naomichi Marufuji
There's a lot of significance to this match and a lot on the line for both, win or lose, heading into 2009. Marufuji is still AJPW Junior champion, so he could add onto his championship resume by taking the belt from McGuinness. On the other hand, Nigel is guaranteed to surpass Bryan Danielson and take over second place on the all-time ROH champion list for longevity if he defends the title here and remains champion into the New Year. I think the New York City crowd, the one that started all the controversy with Nigel to begin with, will again be desperate to see someone, anyone take the belt away from a wrestler that they "loathe". I just can't buy Marufuji as the man who is going to do it. The match is a rematch from Glory By Honor V Night 2, and in that situation Marufuji was defending the GHC Heavyweight belt for the first time and I just knew in the back of my mind Marufuji was not losing that title to McGuinness. Now, Marufuji wouldn't be a bad fit as ROH World Champion, but it's like two years agon between the two with the roles reversed. It should be a heck of a match though and the crowd should really get into it, but ultimately McGuinness retains to close out 2008.
Fight Without Honor
Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima
Its listed second in the card run down on the ROH website, but I think this bout is going to main event the show. Danielson and Morishima had their last match in ROH in New York City last December at the Rising Above '07 tapings. They will pick up their rivalry where they left off and it will be a doozy. The Fight Without Honor stipulation allows for all sorts of latitude and I think both men will take that and run with it. Expect brawling around the ring, diving to the floor, choking, kicking, scratching, biting and definitely bleeding. I think this rivalry is screaming for a clean win for Danielson and now that Morishima is no longer GHC champion the path is clear for that to happen. The crowd will leave happy knowing that Danielson has picked up a major win in his career and is on the path to once again challenging for the ROH World Title.
Dream Tag Team Match
Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. GHC Heavyweight Champion Kensuke Sasaki & Katsuhiko Nakajima
The Briscoes have fought against some of the best teams from NOAH over the last two years, and now they fight against Japanese talent on their home turf. They have won against the international talent several times over the last few years as the "home team". They defeated Ryo Saito and Dragon Kid at Dragon Gate Challenge II this past year and then in 2007 they regained the ROH World Tag Team Titles from Doi and Yoshino at All Star Extravaganza III. However they did lose to KENTA and Marufuji at Glory By Honor VI Night 1 back in '06. This bout sees them matching up against two bulkier men. Nakajima loves to strike with kicks and work on the ground while Sasaki will chop and suplex you around the ring. I think The Briscoes will want to brawl with Sasaki and Nakajima, but they are at a size and power disadvantage. Unless they can isolate one man or the other, the Japanese duo should prevail here.
World Tag Team Title Match
Kevin Steen & El Generico defend vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Delirious
A rematch of an earlier bout just last month, I think Steen & Generico will retain the belts pretty handily unless some major shocking development happens. The NYC crowd will definitely not be happy to see Steen & Generico lose… Perhaps this is where Haze finally gets Delirious to leave AotF…maybe due to a "kiss that won't miss"?
#1 Contender's Match
Austin Aries vs. Tyler Black
Aries had Black's number almost all year but then Tyler Black pulled out the win earlier in the month, causing Aries to explode in anger and challenging him to another match. I still want to cheer Aries but I think it's clear that many fans have anointed Black as the next big thing. Therefore I'm going in anticipating this will be one where the fans actively cheer Black over Aries and even boo him, which I guess is fine if they're heading for a double turn. I expect Black to win this bout and position himself as number one contender just in time for the next PPV tapings in Chicago.
Come Dressed As You Are- New York City Street Fight
Brent Albright, Roderick Strong, & Erick Stevens vs. Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, & Go Shiozaki with Larry Sweeney
Even though the big six man brawl is being built up to end the feud between the two sides, in no way do I see this being the end of the line. There are still several matters of unfinished business between all involved for this one match to end it. Another thing is since its "come dressed as you are" I'm hoping someone comes dressed in drag and has to explain it to everyone else he just came from a masquerade. That person being Shane Hagadorn. Or someone can come in dressed in their pajamas and they'd have to explain they slept all day and just woke up. Okay, I should have quit after the Hagadorn joke. I expect the faces to take this one, maybe with a little help (actively or passively done) from Bobby Dempsey.
Four Corner Survival
Chris Hero vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Rhett Titus vs. The Necro Butcher
Hero and Lynn have lingering issues from the Driven PPV, meanwhile Titus and Necro are building up a new rivalry. Interestingly, I believe this will be the first major interactions between Hero and Necro in ROH since they were aligned on the same side for the ROH vs. CZW war. This should be an exciting table setter for the show and I think fans will be into all four men, but especially cheering for Lynn and Necro.
Special Challenge Match
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Kenny Omega
Omega debuts in New York City and I can't wait to see him live. He is a promising talent that could have a very good future in the company. Castagnoli should provide an interesting test for him. I don't think this will be all out action considering this is heel Castagnoli who will deliberately slow the pace down. I do think Omega will pull out the upset and leave Catsagnoli bewildered, prone to catcalling from the ROH fans in attendance.
"Classic" Promos Month 2008: Week Four
Last year I presented some of the older school ROH material in the form of some of my favorite "classic" promos. I'm doing it again this year. When I write "classic" I don't necessarily mean "the greatest promos ever" (although some of these may end up qualifying), but rather some of the interviews and vignettes that may have been swept up due to the ever-present onward march of time. These are quality promos that I enjoyed back then and still think a lot about even now.
This year we close out with one of my favorite promos ever, CM Punk giving his statement of intent with the Second City Saints' Colt Cabana and Lucy-fer at his side.
CM Punk—This is Straight Edge! (ROH WrestleRave, June 28th, 2003)
"Raven, the reason I hate you, the reason in my heart of hearts why I hate you, is because I didn't know any better when I was a little kid. When my dad came home smelling like beer, I thought it was a hard day's work he was doing. I didn't realize he was out at the bar, I didn't realize that work was the unemployment office. I didn't think it was strange for somebody to come home from work and have to take an Old Style open in the shower while they showered. I didn't think it was strange for somebody to pass out. I thought an Old Style, a pack a day was the norm. Raven, my father is exactly like you. And since day one in Ring of Honor, where fighting spirit is supposed to be revered – things aren't supposed to be this way. I'd shake your hand like a normal man, but the truth is I don't respect you. I HATE YOU. I
hate you for everything you've pissed away, everything I strive and claw for that I haven't even earned yet, that you got handed to you, that you flushed down the toilet! For what? For pills? For booze? For alcohol? For women? I am born of your poison society, so, on the 17th of July, I will become a monster, to fight the monsters of the world. And your time in Ring of Honor will be done! And that is a promise! Because this is true… this is REAL. THIS IS STRAIGHT EDGE!"
Why It Works: This is one of CM Punk's calling cards from his run in Ring of Honor. It is intense, it is powerful and it sends a clear message to everyone watching just what Punk is about and just what he will do to ensure he gets the job done. It is also surprisingly quick, but a promo doesn't have to last ten minutes to be an effective and dramatic piece of theatre. I love Punk's line about becoming a monster to defeat a monster, as not only was that a self fulfilling prophecy in the ring for the dog collar match against Raven at Death Before Dishonor, but it also foreshadows Punk being forced to drink alcohol by Raven and Tommy Dreamer after the match. He indeed became what he considers a "monster" in society by having alcohol touch his pristine lips.
I didn't even mention the father issues yet—and that set up was perfect too. Raven was older than Punk and the connection is not only logical but also effective in its psychology. In some way Punk has transferred his emotions and frustrations about his father onto Raven, and that is what pushes this feud over the line between a simple wrestling feud and into something more realistic and believable.
Honorarium
-There's nothing like New York City schoolchildren in a classroom freaking out because they see its snowing outside. I swear the uproar happens every time, like every new snow fall is the first time they have actually see white powder falling from the sky, like they're a bunch of fish forgetting things every three seconds. Well, they're like that sometimes with the lessons, but snow too.
-J.D. Dunn did not like Glory By Honor VII much, although giving Danielson vs. Nakajima four stars he stated the show peaked in the first half and seemed too fragmented. He criticized Claudio's match against Kensuke Sasaki (as have many) and the Steel Cage Warfare match. I have already stated my thoughts on the show in a previous column and defended both of the latter matches. I can see the criticisms for both matches and they are there, but I rather enjoyed the heavyweight face off between Sasaki and Castagnoli and thought Sasaki really tried to bring something to that match—it just never clicked with Claudio and the crowd the way that it should have come together. I thought the SCW match was really excellent in parts, but flawed in others (Sapolsky said as much in his recent blog where he called putting The Briscoes over instead of Necro Butcher the "last big blunder" of his booking run in ROH. I ultimately believe that this show is getting more criticized than it deserves, and that a great first half, a really entertaining title match (admittedly though a repeat from an earlier show) and the main event showdown between The Briscoes and Age of the Fall that brought the feud full circle makes this a good show to pick up and watch.
Unfortunately, I really can't say the same for the show that comes after it…
Return of the 187 Thoughts
-Now, this wasn't a "bad" show, but to be extremely blunt, it was below average and certainly not up to the expectations I have of an ROH show. It be just one of those things that ROH goes through sometimes in the fall (as they seem to do every year), but that doesn't mitigate that this was a shabby effort up to the hardcore brawl and the second half. The early matches in particular offered some uneventful, pedestrian and even sloppy in-ring action.
Brent Albright vs. Jay Briscoe was mundane, Jason Blade vs. Ruckus was a car wreck, and the three way no disqualification match between Mark Briscoe, Necro Butcher and Delirious gave me the feeling of a "been there, seen that" scenario. The three way was better than the first four matches on the undercard but it certainly was no different, no better or worse than several dozen of the same style of match we've seen in ROH this year.
-The opening series of vignettes were excruciatingly bad, and almost made me want to take back what I wrote last week in support of ROH developing their characters. Now, I understand the need to transition Mitch Franklin to Grizzley Redwood, but the opening vignette with Alex Payne and someone else looking aghast at Redwood in the trees near the venue was not it. In addition to being poorly shot as a video and the audio not being the greatest, you couldn't even make out it was Franklin / Redwood they were looking at. It could have been a good idea, but the execution of it was way off. Then we cut to Rhett Titus about to go into the women's bathroom—and that is NEVER the kind of set up that works out to be captivating programming. So in we go and right away we see Sara Del Rey screaming and yelling incomprehensibly something to Jessie McKay and Ariel about how she's going to kill Ariel in the ring. I hate to say this because I dig Ariel's in-ring stuff, especially in SHIMMER, but her acting (or reacting) is worse than most college student films. McKay doesn't do much better, and really, this isn't the best I've seen of Titus either. This was a strike up segment and thinking about it, it being filmed in the backroom seems just about perfect given its quality. Thank god it was short.
-The best part of this DVD was obviously the return of Homicide. At first I disagreed with Homicide coming out almost first thing on the show, thinking maybe they should have waited for the big pop for the entrance to the match itself. However, after the opening series of vignettes and then Jimmy Jacobs being ho-hum in his short in ring promo, let's just say I'm thankful that they dialed up "187" to the stage. Homicide's promo was clever, funny and entertaining. He was a welcome presence, although surprisingly he did not get nearly the reaction he should have received, perhaps because this was a new town in Connecticut. See, he should have come back in NYC—he would have received a hero's welcome, but I guess circumstances being what they were with the Machine Guns you can't do much about that.
Homicide's characterization and personality traits are so awesome and his returnis like slipping on an old glove. He cracks me up by actually saying something along the lines of "I am a peace loving man" to Jacobs. When the crowd calls Homi out on that he gives a cat that's swallowed the canary look and puts his finger up to his mouth as if to tell the crowd to "shush". He wonders what happened to Jimmy Jacobs because he used to be like ‘Ned Flanders" from The Simpsons. About thirty seconds later he's putting a beat down to the guy who now looks like "emo fucked up looking Chris Angels". Greatness.
When Tyler Black comes out to save Jacobs and puts the bad mouth Homicide, the 187 replies "F**k you, Jesus Christ!" I just about died in a fit of laughter from that one. I thought Homicide was tremendous on the stick during this show.
Then we have Homicide getting down with Ruckus, which is a brilliant thought considering I don't know how many times over the years I've read requests to have BLK OUT vs. Homicide or The Rottweilers. This would have been a huge moment and garnered a huge reaction if it was done in Philly at the New Alhambra, but it didn't register to the CT crowd that this was a special moment. It did not even get a lukewarm pop.
-I have knocked Jason Blade over the years for having a cardboard cut-out character in ROH, but this year I've praised him for finding his place as an arrogant rich twenty-something as a part of the YRR group down in Full Impact Pro. However, the Jason Blade who showed up tonight was back to being the old boring Jason Blade of a seemingly bygone era. What happened? There is a seeming difference between Blade with and without any girls or his run-in buddies in YRR. Not to mention, this was one of his worst in-ring efforts in ROH in quite a long time. He and Ruckus fucked a move up so bad it almost killed both of them. I think it was some kind of convoluted stunner using the ropes, but Blade dropped straight down and landed on his head and neck. It was quite frankly the most disturbing sequence I've seen since Eddie Edwards fucked up something fierce against Yamato in Japan and almost killed himself there. Ruckus was much better in this one…as his effort, that along with Jigsaw I've defended pretty regularly as a decent contributor to the tag division, was severely lacking.
-I hate to knock Sara Del Rey two times in a review, but well…here goes. I like her choice to change her entrance jacket to something more akin to the Sith, but the next step up for her appearance change includes doffing a long white wig. THAT is ridiculous. Sara Del Rey is now completely different from the way she looked as of last year. I understand and accept changing some things up in order to go in a new direction or to differentiate between a face and a heel, but this isn't inducing heel heat so much as inducing bafflement and yes, likely laughter. Chris Hero changed his moves to make himself more of a heel, but he didn't have to change his wardrobe to do it. Del Rey vs. Ariel was short and very disappointing considering they have had better and more intense interactions in SHIMMER. It once again underscores that there is some mystifying difference between ROH women's matches and SHIMMER matches, even though and even if they have the same wrestlers participating.
-Go Shiozaki vs. Austin Aries was real good, not at the level of their first match at Sixth Anniversary Show although perhaps it had a more visually impressive finish with the Super Go Flasher from the top rope. It even had a few bobbled spots which were surprising to see, but mostly were saved before anything bad could happen. Aries for his part looked phenomenal, and the psychology of the opening moments was brilliantly done with Aries avoiding the chops in every conceivable way. It was very clever, very entertaining and had a good payoff for later in the match.
-I don't know if the main event Iron Tag match was enough to save the show. It was a really good match, but even it had some problems I had a hard time forgiving or forgetting. It was a fun match too, consistently up tempo in terms of action and interaction between all four teams. However, the slow beginning and jumbled ending sandwiched all the greatness and brought it down a notch.
For a while there the show focus and also then effect of the commentary made this one seem like it was all about HOMICIDE HOMICDE HOMICIDE (ohandyeah, hispartnerHernandezishereaswell) HOMICIDE. Well, it felt that way at least until Hernandez forced attention to be paid with an awesome flurry in the iron tag match, destroying everyone, taking no shit from anyone and then doing his awesome big man dives to the outside.
Richards and Hero held up the heel end very well, and Jacobs and Black were good at stirring up the shit, especially following up their earlier brawl with Homicide. Generico and Steen unfortunately were sucked into the vortex because of LAX's presence, but they did get a few amusing moments later in the match, playing off of Steen's whiteness and Generico's Mexican roots.
The crowd was really into the match to, well for about 20 minutes, but then tired out and their lack of reaction actually hurt the very end with the scramble for a final fall, which was very sloppily done with no one team (aside from LAX who were in the lead) really having a realistic shot of winning a fall in the last minute. I think they peaked the crowd too soon with the awesome run that Hernandez went on in the middle of the match, although that was likely the right thing to do at the time.
If I could do a bit of hindsight fantasy booking (and since it's my column I will do just that), I would have finished this match with LAX both out of the ring and looking out of commision, then Black hitting a Small Package Driver on Generico with less than a minute to go while at the same time Jacobs locks in The End Time on Richards. Then with Steen (selling a big knee injury throughout the whole match) barely jumps in for the break up to the Black pin on Generico before the 3 count. Seconds later, Hero wallops Jacobs with the KO forearm to spill him off of Richards. Then with about fifteen seconds to go, Homicide and Hernandez rush the ring and clear out everyone with closelines over the top and throwing them over the ropes. Then they would count down with the fans from five to one and go nuts in celebrating a huge win. What we got was quite the opposite of that scenario, unfortunately ending the match not with a bang but with a fizzle.
-This was the next to last show of Gabe Sapolsky's run and if there was any evidence of either his creative burning out process in 2008 or that of the wrestler's themselves, it would be this show right here. I have to say though that I'm a bit worried that the shows booked by Pearce will turn out to be a lot like this one. I haven't seen them yet, so no rush to judgment.
-It was clear by the end of the night that the stars of the show were Homicide, Hernandez, Jerry Lynn (who had a real solid match against Castagnoli) and Larry Sweeney. Sweeney pulled out all the stops he could to entertain the DVD audience with his heel act, including stepping up in multiple promos to use his agent rap and talk up his clients. He also blatantly interfered multiple times, which—gasp!—made the fans boo him. Alright!
-Overall, this is a show really only for ROH fans who want to see Homicide's big return. There's not much else that sticks in the mind. At least the DVD cover is really cool, one of the better ones of the year.
-Post Script: So far, I'm half way through Ring of Homicide 2 and it is awesome and it is rocking my world. A much better and more fitting way to go out for Sapolsky.
Going Home
Get With the pROHgram:
January 16th, 2009—Manassas, VA: ROH returns to the Virginia area for the first show of the new year.
January 16th, 2009: Rising Above 2009 Debuts on PPV with McGuinness vs. Danielson for the ROH World Title.
February 2009: "ROH Classics" on Direct TV begins to provide 10 hours of ROH programming per month.
I must admit that even though I like Rhett Titus, I hate these home-made promos he makes. They come across so cheap, and more like something Vinny Mac would come up with.
Posted By: chikaraking (Guest) on December 20, 2008 at 04:42 PM
We never see anything NEW in Connecticut. Nothing too far out of the ordinary since late 2005. So start lowering your expectations for the Danbury shows! It suited me just fine because I wasn't expecting a Hammerstein or Philly show...
Posted By: BN (Guest) on December 21, 2008 at 10:48 AM
