Column of Honor: 01.06.07

Welcome everyone to the first weekend of the new year. As if there weren’t enough excuses to be lazy and get sloshed. Except I don’t drink all that much…okay maybe I had one beer at the New Year’s party last week. OOOO I’m such a party animal, I know. CM Punk continues to shake his head in shame at this lapsed (but pretty much still at heart) straight edger.

Honorarium

-I find it pretty interesting to think that at this point, both Christopher Daniels (X Division and ROH Tag) and Homicide (NWA Tag and ROH World) are champions in both ROH and TNA. I think this may be the first time TWO wrestlers were champions in these two companies at the same time. I think you have to go back to 2003 when AJ Styles was either NWA or X Division champion (can’t remember which) while also holding the ROH tag team belts with Red. That’s just one person holding belts in both companies. Here, we’re talking TWO wrestlers simultaneously accomplishing said feat.

It certainly says a lot about the ROH-TNA dynamic entering 2007 that this can happen, especially when in TNA it seems titles are changing every month and when everyone is predicting a short title run for Homicide. Still, we are a long ways away from the dark ages of 2004, when Christopher Daniels and AJ Styles were barred from wrestling in Ring of Honor.

This statistic also speaks volumes about the talent of both Daniels and Homicide. Daniels at this point is a multiple time TNA X Division champion. At this point I sort of view him as the Bret Hart of that division—I guy who brings class and prestige to the in ring action (and boy do they ever need it at this point). He can also have a great match with just about anyone at this point. Meanwhile, LAX with Homicide, Hernandez and Konnan as a unit became red hot in TNA over the summer and they continue to be one of the most successful acts entering 2007. Homicide has also been one of the most popular wrestlers in ROH over the past six months and is entering some of the most intriguing months of his independent career.

-Look, trying to figure out this Claudio Castagnoli situation is like trying to untie the Gordian Knot. Claudio has his side of the story (see below) and some of the news sites are reporting differently. However, one sure thing remains crystal clear: WWE is missing out. Even if Claudio lied or fudged the truth a little about his visa issues, it shouldn’t be the “be all end all” of determining whether or not Claudio makes it to the E. Just take a look at the example of one Marty Wright, who you would better know as The Boogeyman. Wright was cut during the last Tough Enough competition because he lied about his age, claiming that he was younger than his actual age. After getting a stern talking to about the need for honesty and truth in the wrestling business by Al Snow (and oh boy am I trying to stifle my laughter at that one), Wright proceeds…to get hired by the WWE. What a lesson he learned about lying, huh?

Okay, maybe lying about your age and (allegedly) being misleading about visa issues are two different levels of mistruth, but look, WWE has been hypocritical about so many other issues before, why stop now? WWE is foolish to pass up on a guy like Claudio, who would fit in very well in their sports entertainment world. Then again, WWE has not picked up on Colt Cabana even though he has wrestled several times for them on their shows and they know his talent level and his ability. So we know how well they can spot the real deal when they see it.

WWE’s loss is once again our gain. Now that ROH is continuing to book Claudio on its shows, there a bunch of possibilities about what to do with him. Fans can look forward to either a Hero-Castagnoli feud or a reunion of the Kings of Wrestling. You can’t lose either way.

-Our favorite Warrior Warrior is back in the spotlight, doing it the eBay way. If this is how he acts in response to a user comment, I wonder what happens when you leave him negative feedback?

-I think I may be an ROH message board jinx. It seems that about half of the threads I post in get deleted. Maybe it’s the topic of the thread, maybe it’s another poster who comes after…but maybe…it’s me.

I’m depressed now.

-Just had a thought: TOMKO bars. The next generation of chocolate bars. We can have a movie to promote them: Tyson Tomko and the Chocolate Factory. Mark Henry will not be invited. For both reasons.

-CM Punk is getting his own action figure—and I am weeping in joy. Soon, I can have my very own Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk action figure one hour draw! Then I’ll post the whole thing up on You Tube.

-Speaking of You Tubery (is that a word? No? Whatever.), enjoy some WWE Diva botchery.

ROH Call
ROH Champions—As of 01/06/2006

ROH World Champion—Homicide(champion since 12/23/06, NEW ROH WORLD CHAMPION)

Next Defense: Chris Hero, 1/26/07 Braintree, MA

ROH World Tag Team Champions—Christopher Daniels and Matt Sydal (champions since 11/25/06, 1 successful defense)

Next Defense: Austin Aries and Roderick Strong, 1/27/07 Edison, NJ

ROH News
(via the ROHnewswire… and other sources when attributed

Cast Away
From 411:
Claudio Castagnoli released the following statement on his MySpace.com page today regarding rumors that his deal with WWE was ended due to citizenship issues: Ladies and Gentlemen this is an official statement issued by one Castagnoli Claudio.

Castagnoli, Claudio

Well, there you have Claudio’s side of the story. Meanwhile other news sites are stating that Mike Bucci (formerly Nova) did not properly assess Claudio’s visa status and therefore WWE released Claudio before even bringing him in. It’s a he said, he said deal. Like I said before, no matter what, its WWE’s loss.

Announcer Shift
Jared David had to step down as ROH announcer due to scheduling conflicts. We wish Jared the best.

Lenny Leonard will return to commentary with Dave Prazak starting with the 12/22 Hartford home release.

Over at PWInsider, they’re reporting the reason for David stepping down as due to an unspecified medical condition. If that’s true, I hope for the best for Mr. David.

I know in an earlier Column of Honor I gave some criticisms of David on commentary but the guy had actually turned around over the last few DVD releases. He was hitting his stride on commentary and showing much improved chemistry with Prazak and enthusiasm for the storylines and in-ring action. He provided some nice touches on the finer points of matches, including when Aries and Danielson lost their ring gear back at Survival of the Fittest 2006 and Motor City Mayhem.

Losing David on commentary at this point would certainly have been a loss for the overall ROH product if it were not for Larry Leonard returning to the stick. Obviously this is the best case scenario for ROH. Leonard had done a fantastic job on color commentary alongside Prazak before taking a leave of absence due to surgery and the need for rehabilitation cut out his ability to do the job. Leonard and Prazak should have no problems rekindling the chemistry that they had

If Leonard didn’t come back, then you would have to go with Jimmy Bower or someone new and untested. Bower does an acceptable job on commentary—in fact I like his work. He knows his stuff about ROH history and can bring all of that into a match to make it that much more important. He also has one of the best calls on the planet—”DANGERRRRRRRRRRRRROUS!” Tell me you fans don’t miss that one. However, it’s clear Leonard was the right choice to go with to replace David.

Other News via PWInsider

Mike Johnson also reports on Danielson going for an MRI this week, no plans for new markets and the overall concept of the Fifth Year Festival:

Former ROH champion Bryan Danielson is set to undergo the MRI on his bad shoulder next week, at which point it will be determined whether he’ll need surgery or not.

There are currently no plans for Ring of Honor to break into new markets at this time. Instead, the current internal strategy for 2007 is to continue to build and grow crowds in their current markets.

the plan is for events that take place on one event to have a ripple effect on the events that follow it, which could mean lineup changes as championships change, feuds evolve, etc.

I would go so far as to say that the Fifth Year Festival is going to shape quite a bit of what 2007 will be all about.

Town Talk with George Newman
ROH owner Cary Silkin gave an interview this past week with Monday Night Mayhem Radio hosted by The Big Mosh and Blade. Nothing too earth shattering. When asked, Cary did mention there was “a chance” ROH could run in Canada, although he did mention one of the reasons ROH was able to run in England was that promoter Alex Shane expedited the process as easily as possible. Cary did put the word out to anyone in Canada and Toronto who could help get a deal done: “If anyone knows someone who could help us in Canada & Toronto, and if it makes sense for us to go there/where we could draw a decent crowd, we’d be happy to go.”

Even though the reports are no new markets, I think ROH should certainly try at least one or two new ones to continue an expansion, albeit a slow one. You don’t want to burn out the regular markets and I’m sure there are other regions who would really want to see some ROH action near them.

Colt and Jimmy wrestling in a ring, F-I-G-H-T-I-N-G
The first match has been announced for ROH’s return to Chicago and debut at the Windy City Fieldhouse on February 24th. The Fifth Year Festival will see a huge grudge match as Chicago’s own Colt Cabana will battle Jimmy Jacobs in a Windy City Death Match.

A mixed tag team grudge match has been signed for ROH’s first show of the year. ROH will return to the Boston area on 1/26 and you will see Colt Cabana, BJ Whitmer & Daizee Haze vs. Jimmy Jacobs, Brent Albright & Lacey in a No DQ Match!!!

Lots of debate going around as to what the difference is between a “Chicago Street Fight” and a “Windy City Death match.” I think the difference will be ROH holding this match in a wind tunnel.

Lacey will be back in action and I will be interested to see if they do any special effects on her face to account for her recent spiking by BJ Whitmer. It could be an interesting opportunity to do something visual and add to the drama of the feud. Somewhere along the way though I expect another spiking on someone—this time at the hands of Jimmy Jacobs. It’s time for this feud to get bloody.

Somewhere in California, Bayani Domingo is greatly upset that I didn’t take the five or so open opportunities in that last paragraph to make a double entendre about Lacey.

NI-Quit-gel (sorry, that’s the best I got for right now)
The next chapter of the Nigel McGuinness vs. Jimmy Rave feud will take place on 1/27 in Edison, NJ at the Inman Sports Center. Last time in Edison things heated up between these two. Now 1/27 will see McGuinness vs. Rave in an I Quit Match!!!

Jimmy Rave might have been bested by Davey Richards in a series of matches over the summer, but right now it seems like the metaphorical wrestling boot is on the other foot. Rave has dominated this feud against Nigel in the ring. Nigel has one win to his name in this series and has the edge in the mind games, but Rave has more wins and the great equalizer of that new ankle submission.

Odds and Ends
Jimmy Jacobs and Nigel McGuinness were announced today for ROH’s next trip to the UK. ROH World Champion Homicide with Julius Smokes, Samoa Joe, Delirious, Jay & Mark Briscoe, Jimmy Jacobs and Nigel McGuinness are all confirmed for the two night stand in Liverpool on March 3rd & 4th. Many more names will be announced. ROH officials are currently in negotiations with Dragon Gate officials about these shows.

Samoa Joe wants it to be known that he is still waiting to hear from NOAH about his challenge for any NOAH wrestler to face him on 2/16 in Manhattan.

There is an article called “Wheelin’ & Dealin’ Going On Behind The Scenes” on the main page of ROHwrestling.com. The latest news is that Larry Sweeney is holding Chris Hero out of the Fifth Year Festival now due to money demands. Sweeney is taking a big gamble here. If Hero is able to win the ROH World Title on January 26th vs. Homicide in the Boston area then Sweeney will be able to name his price for Hero. However, if Hero does not win the belt then Sweeney will have to greatly lower his demands. This is a gutsy powerplay from Hero’s new super agent.

ROH is looking to follow the pattern of their previous UK shows—bring in their American talent and mix it in with international wrestlers, this time Dragon Gate guys. Hopefully it will be more than Shingo who comes in, as he is sort of an ROH homeboy at this point and it wouldn’t be much of a surprise to have him tag along for the tour. I’d pretty much steadfastly believe that Nigel McGuinness will be fighting Samoa Joe on 2/16 as the make good for the match that was to take place at Final Battle 2006. The Larry Sweeney angle is an interesting one as it shows the realistic impact of an agent who is negotiating for a wrestler’s interests. This could really go somewhere in the future, especially as Hero becomes further entrenched as a singles presence in ROH. Believe me, I know…

Hero’s Sandwich

Well, well, well. Only one week after that simpleton, Ari Berenstein thought that he had gotten rid of me forever by plotting an assault on me by the corpulent icon of this column, Samoa Joe, I, Chris Hero, the greatest wrestler alive today, am back to tell all of you moronic Ring Of Honor wrestling fans how things REALLY are. Thanks to the outstanding work of my super agent, the man of the hour, the man with all the power, “Sweet-N-Sour” Larry Sweeney, I have signed an ironclad contract with the fine, and intelligent people who run 411wrestling.com to continue with the “Hero Sandwich” segment. Even though I detest the name of my segment, the 411 people told me that it was the only concession that I would have to make, and that if I put up with it, and all of you subhumans, I will be handsomely compensated for my effort, as it always should be for a star of my magnitude. They have also guaranteed my safety each and every time that I speak or appear in this column, and they have been informed that if anything like what happened last week transpires again, I will have grounds for a lawsuit so huge that I would own this website, and the author of this sorry column would have to become my lackey for the rest of his sad lifetime.

Now, before you all wonder what I’ve been up to for the past week or so, I will fill you in. I am currently training as hard as I have ever done before, in preparation for ending that ghetto idiot Homicide’s World Title reign in his very first defense. He is no match for my amazing technical skills, and I might even have something totally different cooked up for him, so, we’ll all be able to celebrate right here at 411mania in just about 3 weeks. Finally, the Ring Of Honor will become the Ring Of Hero! And the ROH will finally be able to boast of a truly honorable champion.

Well, I know you enjoyed my segment, so I will make my way back to my top secret training facility, and leave you wanting more, as you always do. Get back with the pseudo-intelligent commentary, ROH-bot monkey boy. This has been your Hero Sandwich.
That is all.

…This has been Hero’s Sandwich.

Monday Night ROH

The wrestling television and shows that I tuned in for during the week:

Monday 01/01/07: WWE Monday Night Raw (First 15 minutes, Cena vs. Federline): I was entertained by this “match” which I guess ultimately was the point of it all. While it may not have made the biggest increase in the ratings, it was actually the water cooler talk much of the week at school, both among the students and my fellow colleagues. That match and Cena-Umaga were much discussed, so if high school academia is to be considered, I guess WWE is on the right track with this stuff. Personally I loved the Federline heel stuff, such as taking off his ring robe and putting in a mouth piece. The allusions to Kaufman-Lawler were also a nice touch. The allusion to David whatshisname winning the WCW title? Not so much. Look, as things go, the mainstream media reported this and picked up on it. Of course, they made it the laughingstock item as they usually do with all things pro wrestling. However, this is far worse than usual because it’s a celebrity pinning a champion. I don’t care if it’s non-title, there are just some things you don’t do in wrestling—and one being you don’t degrade the major title of the company. Look, did Bob Ubecker end up pinning Andre the Giant around Wrestlemania 3? Did Morton Downey Jr. get the last laugh on Roddy Piper at Wrestlemania V? NO! And as there are reportedly no new plans to bring Federline back, Cena can’t even get the win back on 50-50 booking. The F-U at the end of the night does not count, because most of the reports show Cena getting pinned by K-Fed, not the retribution spot at the end of the night. So overall, great entertainment, stupid booking, getting people talking about WWE again. Do the ends justify the means?

Friday 01/05/07: WWE Friday Night Smackdown (Paul London vs. Brian Kendrick): Oh, what’s this? Chain wrestling on WWE programming? With Chris Benoit and William Regal not in sight? My god, it’s like a post Channukah / Christmas miracle! Anyway this was a great flashback to the ROH of 2002 era, with Spanky vs. London on the cards. Great stuff then, very good stuff now—about as good as can be expected on a WWE show. They didn’t even really get into any of their flashy highspots—just great counters and roll ups for seven minutes or so. It was awesome.

That’s it—that’s all. The sum total of my wrestling viewing this week—and what little there was of it was all WWE. Somehow I feel…dirty.

Why so little TV wrestling viewing? It is because I have discovered the awesomeness that is Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. That game is so freaking sweet, especially for a former comic book geek such as myself (I’ve stopped collecting, but keep up with the industry from time to time). Needless to say, many of my wrestling viewing hours have been diverted for the time being towards playing as and kicking ass with Wolverine, Ghost Rider, Thor and Iceman (my current powerhouse 4 man unit, although I also like Iron Man, Spidey and Human Torch). Plus the game has freaking DEADPOOL in it and you get to go fight in Asgard! What’s not to love?

Going Home

Ringtones

I want to send props to Chl0rofrmperfume for the constant communication this week. He’s a good man.

An excerpt from an email from 411’s own Samuel Berman:

I’m sitting in a hotel bar in Chicago on vacation, but had to take a minute to drop you a line. I just got through the fourth part of Final Column 2006 and wanted you to know that I loved every word of it. Each part had its own flavor and angle, and really helped end Ring of Honor’s 2006 in style.

That may be some of highest praise I’ve ever received. I am really, really proud of the whole endeavor and how it turned out. Larry C. and Ashish thought enough of it to put it up as the front cover story for New Year’s Day–and that’s saying a lot since Column of Honor doesn’t usually get one of those feature blocks. Everyone go check out Sam’s Independent Buy In column—especially you ROH fans as there’s tons of honor goodness there for you.

One more reader response for my call out for 2006 memories and favorite moments from regular reader thx1138:

My Top ROH Moments for 2006:

I had on a kick ass Xmas hat at the CT and NYC shows this weekend, looked like a Snowman head wearing a Santa hat…Delirious ate it on Friday, and I think Hagadorn called me a fag or something on Saturday…and I just think it rules that Delirious chewed on it lol.

Jack Evans hitting his head and losing his memory…I’m sure was not one of Jack’s top moments of the year. Delirious eating your Santa hat sounds damn funny. Hopefully it makes the DVD!

anglemaniac emails in again to follow up on his Dragon corner man gig, which made it to my top 5 in the funniest moments list last week in the year end wrap up:

I sent an e-mail to you right after Fight of the Century about my “running commentary”. I’m glad that it was enjoyed so much and that it made it into your column AGAIN!

-Frank Cook-

I definitely thought a lot of your corner man act–to me it really helped maximize my enjoyment of Joe vs. Dragon. It’s awesome that Dragon recognized it at the CT show. He really does well with the crowd interactions.

A good question about OVW comes our way via kingdomicile:

I was simply wondering approx. how long are the average matches on an OVW TV Showcase, primarily Oct. ’05, Nov. ’05, and Dec. ’05? Also, mainly the CM Punk, Brent Albright, and Ken Doane matches…thanks

-Chas

For the time frame you’re speaking of, most of the OVW showcase matches last between 1 and 2 segments, meaning about 5 to 10 minutes in length. Off hand I remember that Punk has shorter matches in the Oct DVD, but he has longer matches on the Nov. and Dec. DVDs. The matches between Brent Albright and Ken Doane last a good length of time and they are a very worthy watch. I think you should definitely get the Oct. DVD for sure because it has a bunch of great stuff leading into Jeter vs. Cappotelli and that is one awesome feud and match. The Dec. DVD i believe has the first Punk-Albright-Doane triple threat and that gets a ton of time and is also a really favorable watch. Really, you can’t go wrong with any of these DVDs.

Also, thanks to Gordi Whitelaw over at IP for the praise on Final Column 2006.

**The Independent Buy In**
Support independent pro wrestling, ROH or non ROH, I don’t care. But if you out there are spending so much time complaining about how WWE sucks, then dammit, spend some money so you won’t have to spend so much time complaining. This list stays in the column and will be added to as the year goes on. Remember: don’t bow out, BUY IN!

2006
*ROH This Means War (Bryan Danielson / Roderick Strong, AJ Styles / Austin Aries, Claudio Castagnoli / Alex Shelley)
**ROH Vendetta (Bryan Danielson / Roderick Strong, Eight Man War: Generation Next + AJ Styles / The Embassy, Samoa Joe / Christopher Daniels)
**ROH A Night of Tribute (Bryan Danielson / Christopher Daniels, Aries + Strong / Joe + Lethal, Colt Cabana / Homicide, Claudio Castagnoli / Milano Collection AT)
**OVW December 2005 Television Showcase (CM Punk (c) vs. Ken Doane vs. Brent Albright—3 Way Dance TV Title, CM Punk vs. Brent Albright—TV Title)
**SHIMMER WOMEN’S ATHLETES Volume 1 (Cheerleader Melissa vs. MsChif, Sara Del Rey vs. Mercedez Martinez, Lacey vs. Daizee Haze)
**TNA Bound For Glory 2005 (Iron Man 2: Styles / Daniels, Monster’s Ball 2, Joe / Liger, 10 Man Gauntlet, Jarrett vs. Rhino)
**TNA Genesis 2005 (Jarrett & AMW / Rhino & Team 3-D, Styles / Williams, Elimination X: Joe, Daniels, Shelley, Strong / Sabin, Dutt, Aries, Bentley; Christian Cage Debuts)
**ROH Steel Cage Warfare (Generation Next / The Embassy, Dsanielson / Romero, Joe / Lethal, Corino / Homicide )
**ROH Final Battle 2005 (Low Ki / KENTA, Danielson / Marifuji, Claudio / Nigel, 4CS: Daniels / Joe / Lethal / Whitmer )
**ROH Tag Wars 2006 (All three Trios Tournament 2006 matches, Generation Next / Danielson and Lethal, Low Ki / Christopher Daniels )
**BCW International Incident (Jarrett / Raven, Daniels / Sabin, Petey Williams / Jerry Lynn, Bobby Roode / Abyss)
**SHIMMER WOMEN’S ATHLETES Volume 2 (Four Way Elimination Match: Daizee Haze vs. Sara Del Rey vs. Lacey vs. Mercedes Martinez / MsChif vs. Beth Phoenix / Alison Danger vs. Rain)
**PWG Astonishing X-Mas (December 16th, 2005) (Super Dragon vs. Kevin Steen / Eight Man Tag / Strong & Evans vs. Human Tornado & El Generico / Colt Cabana vs. Scorpio Sky)
**ROH Fourth Anniversary Show (Generation Next / Styles & Sydal, Danielson / Rave, Homicide / Cabana Ghetto Fight, CZW all out brawl)
**ROH Best In The World (KENTA &Marifuji / Joe & Dragon, Strong & Evans / Briscoes, Shelley / Daniels, Shimmer 4 Way)
**ROH Dragon Gate Challenge (Daniels / Joe, Generation Next / Blood Generation, Styles & Sydal / Dragon Kid & Horiguchi)
**PWG Battle of Los Angeles 2005 (2 DISC) (Steen/Dragon, Styles/Evans, Dragon/Reyes, Romero/Kazarian and tons more)
** ROH SUPERCARD of Honor (Danielson / Strong III, Do Fixer / Blood Generation, AJ Styles & Matt Sydal / Austin Aries & Jack Evans, Joe / Jacobs / Daniels)
**ROH Better Than Our Best (the whole damn card. No really, the whole damn card)
**SHIMMER Women’s Athletes Volume 3 (Knox / Danger, Del Ray / Haze, Cheerleader Melissa / Shantelle Taylor)
**FIP Big Year One Bash Night 1 (Strong / Gibson, Spanky & Rinauro / Rave & Lethal Homicide / McGuiness)
**IWC Super Indy V (Low Ki / Abyss, Sydal / Petey Williams, Delirious / Sydal, Shelley / Reyes, Gambino Bros. Moving Co. / Burning River Brigade—M Dogg 20 and Josh Prohbition)
**Hardcore Homecoming: November Reign PLATNIUM EDITION. (Lynn / Polaco Cage Match, Douglas / Pitbull Gary Wolfe Dog Collar, Matt Hyson / CW Anderson. Bonus DVD: Sabu / Al Snow, Chris Benoit / 2 Cold Scorpio, Psicosis / Rey Mysterio Jr., Lynn / Polaco)
**UWF-TNA Hardcore War July 9th, 2006 (Styles / Joe / Daniels, James Gang / AMW / Team 3-D (No Finish), Jarrett / Rhino, Lynn / Williams, Lethal / Dutt, Abyss / Runt)
**UWF-TNA Monster’s Ball July 10th, 2006 (Rhino / Joe / Abyss, AMW / Daniels & Styles, Homicide / Lynn, Lethal / Jarrett)
**Colt Cabana’s European Vacation II – World of Cabana
**SHIMMER Women’s Athletes Volume 4 (Rain / Sara Del Rey, MsChiff / Cheerleader Melissa Falls Count Anywhere, Daizee Haze / Rebecca Knox).
**ROH The 100th Show (Team ROH vs.Team CZW, Danielson / Delirious, Aries & Strong / Homicide & Reyes, Daniels / Castagnoli)
**ROH Ring of Homicide (Homicide / Necro Butcher, Aries & Strong / Briscoes, Daniels / Sydal, Danielson / Delirious, McGuinness / Lethal)
**ROH In Your Face (KENTA / Joe / Danielson, Homicide / Hero, Whitmer / Jacobs, Richards / Rave)
**ROH Throwdown (KENTA / Strong, Danielson / Whitmer / Jacobs, Pearce / Necro Butcher, Rave / Joe / Delirious / Richards)
**ROH Chi-Town Struggle (Danielson / Cabana, KENTA / Aries, ROH vs. CZW, Briscoes / Rave and Kennedy III)
**IWC Summer Sizzler 3 (Shirley Doe / Dennis Gregory IWC World Heavyweight Championship, Delirious / Troy Lords IWC Super Indy Championship, Kings of Wrestling / Rickey Reyes and John McChesney, McChesney / Shima Xion, Burning River Brigade / Cleveland Mafia / Gambino Brothers Moving Company IWC Tag Team Championship)
**FIP Impact of Honor (Aries & Strong / Fast & Furious ROH Tag Team Title Match, Bryan Danielson / Colt Cabana ROH World Title Match / Davey Richards / Shingo Takagi, Steve Madison / Erick Stevens)
**UWF-TNA House Show July 22nd, 2006 (Monster’s Ball Rematch: Samoa Joe / Rhino / Abyss, Jay Lethal / Alex Shelley / Daniels and Styles / James Gang)
**SHIMMER Women’s Athletes Volume 5 (Daizee Haze / Rebecca Knox 2 out of 3 falls, Sara Del Ray / Mercedes Martinez No Time Limit, Allison Danger / Cheerleader Melissa)
**ROH Death Before Dishonor IV (CZW vs. ROH Cage of Death, McGuinness / Strong, Dutt / Danielson)
** ROH Fight of the Century (ROH World Title: Joe / Danielson, KENTA / Richards, Daniels / McGuinness / Lethal / Castagnoli, Ultimate Endurance)
**ROH Unified (ROH World vs. Pure Title: Danielson / McGuinness, ROH World Tag Team Title: Aries and Strong / Briscoes, Cabana / Hero, Richards / Rave)
**ROH Glory By Honor V Night 2 (ROH World Title: Bryan Danielson / KENTA, GHC Title: Naomichi Marufuji / Nigel McGuinness, ROH World Tag Title: Aries and Strong / Kings of Wrestling, Samoa Joe & Homicide / The Briscoes)

What will be the first addition of the Independent Buy In for 2007? I have a feeling it will be a certain battle of a certain city that took place in a certain company with a gorilla on it. However, if YOU (yes, YOU!) would like to contribute your own additions to the Indy Buy In list, contact me and let your voice be known!

ROH @ 411 This Week

Another big week of ROH news, commentary and reviews this week at the mania.

Nick Marsico gives an awesome retrospective on ROH’s Final Battle 2006, which was indeed awesome. He pretty much nailed it down. And in fact, Marsico is awesome as well. So we’re all awesome. Except Mike Awesome.

J.D. Dunn goes all retro this week as he turns the dial back to 2003 for Bitter Friends, Stiffer Enemies and then to the end of 2004 and the beginning of 2005 for Final Battle 2004 and It All Begins.

Brad Garoon goes all FIP with FIP Heatstroke Night One

Sam Berman on the Independent Mid Card begins a two part series examining Delirious vs. Matt Sydal.

Honor Bound Links

Thanks to all the staffers who plugged the Final Column feature this week-you guys are awesome.

This is a huge week for 411 with all the year end columns and such. JT did a kick ass job with the 411 Wrestling Awards. Click here for Part 1 and Part 2. I thought the awards were very fair and ROH was well represented.

For those who want to know, I may be an ROH “fan boy”, but I would never not give WWE its due when its there. Never forget that I started out as a WWF fan. I have different priorities nowadays.

Stu is in with a bit of Friendly Competition. That Was Then goes back to the hey days of The Intercontinental Title.

Phil Feltham talks about the competitive spirit of wrestling in 2007.

Read my and other’s predictions for WWE New Year’s Revolution in this week’s Roundtable .

High Road / Low Road on the Paparazzi Championship Series.

Bayani tells the truth about what is best for business.

Ripple Effect by Zac Calhoun gives Prophecies for 2007.

411 Fact or Fiction

Cook Answers 411 Wrestling

Thanks to Chris Miccio this week.

Next week we’re back at full tilt with 5 questions you need answered for 2007, the Ring of Shame gets a new entrant and a lot more good and honorable stuff. Be well everyone.

Brooklyn! DAH EM-BAH-SEE!
–Ari–