Column of Honor: 09.08.07: And 5 to Grow On

Ah…minor league baseball in the fall, can there be anything better? In the words of Brian Regan, “I submit that there cannot!” What with the too colorful, wacked out acid trip mascots, Rock-Paper-Scissors contents, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Race and Sweet Caroline for the seventh-inning stretch, it’s a wonder how they find time for the baseball game.

5 Fresh Matches That I Want To See

Every once in a while here at the Column, I get to thinking about some of the yet to be seen fights between wrestlers that I haven’t seen yet. Like a bowl full of Jell-O, there is always room for more ROH action, especially if it’s new and fresh battles on the Ring of Honor playground. So here I go with five more “first time” matches that I’d like to see take place, right here, in Ring of Honor:

1. Bryan Danielson vs. Brent Albright: The NWA Heavyweight Tournament final match that was not meant to be. Well, it’s still open for booking now and I would love to see this one come to ROH. Brent Albright’s science and technical wrestling matches up so well to Bryan Danielson. This doesn’t have to been all about Albright’s brawn and power, although that could give him the advantage in this match. A great hold for hold and a counter wrestling chess match is well called for in this encounter. How about the Crowbar vs. Cattle Multiation? Which shoulder submission is the most effective? That is a question I would like to see answered within the context of this match. Now, Danielson and Albright actually have a bit of history already within ROH, what with a huge pay-off being given to the “Gun for Hire” back in December of 2006. Albright softened up Homicide for Danielson. Albright didn’t quite get the job done on Homicide’s shoulder, so maybe he needs to give the former champ a refund? Or maybe Danielson wants to take out his receipt in the ring. Any way you look at it, this is one of the main event caliber matches that ROH has left to offer, especially should Danielson become ROH World champion once again. I would hope we get to this one sometime in 2008.

2. Nigel McGuinness vs. KENTA: One of the two combinations fans have yet to see between McGuinness, Danielson, KENTA and Morishima is this fight, pitting the tag team partners of the main event of Respect is Earned against each other. I could imagine this coming up soon as a number one contender’s match in an effort to get McGuinness back into contendership or provide KENTA with a boost into the main event against Morishima. As far as this one is concerned, I’m sure Nigel will bring his hard hitting lariats in an effort to match his opponent’s kicks and strike flurries. This one also has the potential to be a fast and crazy brawl that goes all over the arena. When McGuinness fought Marufuji, there was a lot of movement done between the ring, ring apron and the floor. I could expect a similar battle for positioning and control when these two clash. Then of course you have the battle of the high impact maneuvers as finishers…the Tower of London and Jawbreaker Lariat against the GO 2 Sleep and the Busaiku Knee Kick. High impact damage would be the name of the game in this match and I would love to see these two go at it for fifteen to twenty minutes in that circumstance.

3. The Briscoes vs. Nigel McGuinness & Doug Williams: You know The Briscoes have to be on this list considering their extensive run at the top of the tag team roster this year in ROH. The Briscoes have run through a great number of teams, but here they face an international dream team that can put them to the test. McGuinness has had a shot at the tag team titles with Danielson as his partner, but conflicts and tensions between the two prevented them from really gelling together as a team. Williams has been a solid fit for McGuinness in tag competition, whether it is in NOAH, in the UK or even in ROH (they earned the “W” in the main event to This Means War II). So let’s see McGuinness and Williams step it up and if Jay & Mark still have the belts, let it be for the titles. As opposed to the dream match with KENTA, I’d like to see McGuinness (and Williams) demonstrate a more scientific and ground game as opposed to high impact and huge moves. The latter is The Briscoes’ game. They have won more than their fair share of their tag title defenses by winning a figurative “shoot out” of offense. Let’s see if McGuinness and Williams can pick apart a body part and isolate a man on the way to taking the advantage and hopefully the win in the match. Could a UK force be the ones to take out the prevailing Southern Delawarians?

4. Mike Quackenbush vs. Chris Hero: Yes, I know, I know. Technically, Quackenbush vs. Hero isn’t a fresh wrestling match, because it has been featured in a few indies (notably CHIKARA back in May of ’07). However, technically this combination IS fresh for ROH. These two have not gone at it in singles competition, at the most crossing paths during the Four Corner Survival match during A Fight at the Roxbury that also featured Nigel McGuinness and Claudio Castagnoli At this point, I don’t have to talk up the abilities of either man, as both have shown just how good they can be in the ring and especially against each other. Their encounter in CHIKARA was golden and a perfect apex for their feud in that company. I think they could bring their chain wrestling and submission exchanges (Hangman’s Clutch vs. Alligator Clutch) and do a wonderful match. Chris Hero has his entourage of Larry Sweeney and Sweet & Sour Inc. to help back him up in ROH, but if Quack wants I’m sure he can get some of his fellow technicos in Jigsaw and Hallowicked to help back him up. Of course Quack can bring his CHIKARA SPECIAL to even the odds, a newfangled submission move which has proven to be Hero’s Kryptonite! Quack vs. Hero is a marquee match that never gets old because these two just get better in experience and ring work with every passing year. ROH has never seen it before, but the fans would not soon forget the battle raged between these two rivals.

5. PAC vs. Austin Aries ROH needs to give PAC another chance to wrestle for them within America. I know from seeing him in matches from other U.S. based indies that PAC can flat out go. So give him a mulligan on the bomb that was his match vs. Davey Richards a few weeks back and let’s see what he can do when up against one of ROH’s highest ranking veterans. Austin Aries has the name value to give this match a high profile and I think it can capture a lot of fan’s attention. Aries can pace and give a good rhythm to this match. He can set the tempo in the beginning-unlike the encounter with Richards, I think fans like to see Aries chain wrestling in the beginning of his matches and would give him the benefit of interest in a match against PAC (call that a double standard, but Aries can get away with it). Of course, he can let it all hang out matching PAC in the flying game, while giving PAC the opportunity to shine. I’d like to see a battle between these two as to how can fire off their marquee top rope moves and springboards during the match. While there is no real “reason” as far as a feud or a storyline to have these two go at it, there is no reason these two can’t go out there and do an Indie dream match and have a good time with it.

ROH Call

ROH Champions—As of 09/08/2007

ROH World Champion—Takeshi Morishima (champion since 02/17/07, 17 successful defenses)

Next Defense:: vs. winner of Four Corner Survival: Erick Stevens vs. Delirious vs. Roderick Strong vs. Kevin Steen 9/14/07 Detroit, MI

V.1 defeated BJ Whitmer via pinfall / backdrop driver (2/23/07 Dayton, OH)
V.2 defeated KENTA via pinfall / backdrop driver (3/04/07 Tokyo, Japan)
V.3 defeated Nigel McGuinness via pinfall / backdrop driver (4/14/07 Edison, NJ)
V.4 defeated Austin Aries via pinfall / backdrop driver (4/27/07 St. Paul, MN)
V.5 defeated SHINGO via pinfall / backdrop driver (4/28/07 Chicago Ridge, IL)
V.6 defeated KAZMA via pinfall / backdrop driver (05/06/07 Tokyo, Japan)
V.7 defeated BJ Whitmer via pinfall / backdrop driver (05/12/07 New York, NY)
V.8 defeated Jay Briscoe via pinfall / backdrop driver (6/08/07 Roxbury Crossing, MA)
V.9 defeated Roderick Strong via pinfall / backdrop driver (6/09/07 Philadelphia, PA)
V.10 defeated Jimmy Rave via pinfall / backdrop driver (06/23/07 Chicago Ridge, IL)
V.11 defeated Adam Pearce via pinfall / backdrop driver (06/23/07 Chicago Ridge, IL)
V.12 defeated Nigel McGuinness via pinfall / backdrop driver (7/16/07 Tokyo, Japan)
V.13 defeated Claudio Castagnoli via pinfall / backdrop driver (8/10/07, Roxbury Crossing, MA)
V.14 defeated Brent Albright via pinfall / backdrop driver (8/11/07, Philadelphia, PA)
V.15 Three Way Elimination Match: defeated Brent Albright and Claudio Castagnoli (8/24/07, Hartford, CT)
V.16 defeated Bryan Danielson via pinfall / backdrop driver (8/25/07, New York, NY)
V.17 defeated Katsuhiko Nakajima via pinfall / lariat (9/01/07, Tokyo, Japan)

ROH World Tag Team Champions— Jay and Mark Briscoe (champions since 03/30/07, 12 successful defenses)

Next Defense: Ladder Match vs. Kevin Steen & El Generico, 9/14/07 Detroit, MI

V.1 Ultimate Endurance: defeated Pelle Primeau & Mitch Franklin, Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw, Hallowicked & Gran Akuma (4/27/07 St. Paul, MN)
V.2 defeated Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) (4/28/07 Chicago, IL)
V.3 defeated BJ Whitmer and ROH World Champion Takeshi Morishima (5/11/07, Hartford, CT)
V.4 defeated Claudio Castagnoli and Matt Sydal (5/12/07, New York, NY)
V.5 defeated The Kings of Wrestling (Claudio Castagnoli and Chris Hero) (6/09/07, Philadelphia, PA): 2 out of 3 falls- 2 straight falls
V.6 defeated Claudio Castagnoli and Matt Sydal (6/22/07, Dayton, OH): 2 out of 3 falls- 2 straight falls
V.7 defeated El Generico & Kevin Steen (6/23/07, Chicago Ridge, IL)
V.8 defeated Jimmy Rave & Genki Horiguchi (7/17/07 Osaka, Japan)
V.9 defeated SHINGO & Susumu Yokozuka (7/17/07 Osaka, Japan)
V.10 defeated “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson & Nigel McGuinness (7/27/07, Long Island, New York)
V.11 Steel Cage Match: defeated. Kevin Steen & El Generico (8/24/07 Hartford, CT)
V.12 defeated Kevin Steen & El Generico (8/25/07 New York, NY): 2 Out of 3 Falls – 2 straight falls

FIP Heavyweight Champion: Roderick Strong (since 11/10/2006)
SHIMMER Champion: Sara Del Rey (since 6/2/2007)
Top of the Class Trophy (For ROH Students): Mitch Franklin (since 8/24/2007)

Top Feuds & Pairings:
-The Briscoes vs. El Generico and Kevin Steen
-Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima
-Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness
-The No Remorse Corps vs. The Resilience vs. The Vulture Squad
-Delirious vs. Albright, Whitmer and Adam Pearce

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

November 2rd Misawa Match Announced for Philadelphia

When ROH, NOAH and WLW officials were negotiating for Mitsuharu Misawa’s only ROH appearances, NOAH officials came to ROH officials with a match idea. Upon hearing the match proposal, ROH officials quickly agreed and stated it would be an honor to hold such a Budokan Hall level main event in the United States. We can now announce that this match will take place at “Glory By Honor VI: Night 1” in Philadelphia on November 2nd. It will be GHC Heavyweight Champion Misawa & KENTA vs. ROH World Champion Takeshi Morishima & Naomichi Marufuji in Philly!!! This is the ONLY time you’ll see a match with this many NOAH superstars in ROH. All four will bring their best fight to this bout as it is sure to make headlines from Philadelphia to Tokyo. This huge contest could main event any building in Japan and now you can witness it in the United States.

Well, I have to say I half expected these matches would end up being NOAH vs. NOAH wrestlers. There is some disappointment among fans that this did not end up being a NOAH vs. ROH tag with McGuinness and Danielson (if he can go) or other ROH constants matching up with Misawa and a partner of his choice from NOAH. I think ROH fans are going to need to put some expectations about everything regarding Misawa and his appearance in ROH in check or else the whole deal will become very underwhelming.

This is not to say that Misawa and KENTA vs. Morishima and Marufuji is a match without merit, because it certainly has its pluses. Not only is this the first real NOAH vs. NOAH tag presented in America for an American audience, it also features the top dogs and most recognizable performers for its audience. Then there is also the first ever KENTA vs. Marufuji exchanges on an ROH show (they had great encounters in Japan) but its also a huge opportunity for either Morishima or Marufuji to make a statement to Misawa about their status as it relates to the GHC Heavyweight title. Misawa holds NOAH’s prized belt, which he took away from Marufuji last year. Morishima is always said to have been primed to be the next big heavyweight to take over for Misawa, but he has yet to do so. As ROH champion he holds a belt with a lot of prestige and a win here would give him a claim for a future GHC title shot.

There is still a chance that the NYC show will have Misawa matched up against an ROH wrestler, but I wouldn’t bet too much money on it. It’s more likely that the singles match will come out of the tag match, as past history has shown with Liger and Kobashi’s appearances in 2004 and 2005. There is also the unique opportunity to have Misawa and Morishima go at it, with perhaps either the GHC or ROH title on the line or even it being a title for title situation. A GHC title change in America-THAT would certainly be interesting and very noteworthy news AND a huge statement about the tight connections between the two companies. ROH fans would also get a very compelling title match if Marufuji, an ROH crowd favorite, finally gets his rematch against Misawa for the GHC title.

It’s not Misawa vs. Joe, Misawa vs. Danielson or Misawa vs. McGuinness, which are once in a life time matches that fans have been dreaming about since the rumors of Misawa’s appearance began, but they are viable options.

Morishima Takes the Dream

As Column of Honor went to “press” last week, word came out that ROH World champion Takeshi Morishima’s scheduled title defense against challenger Katsuhiko Nakajima at a Kensuke Office show (dubbed Take the Dream Volume 2) had been successful. There was an estimated crowd of 1,700 packed in to the venue at Tokyo, Japan(usually the Kensuke shows are shorter shows run in smaller venues) that saw Morishima defeat Nakajim in 20:56 via a lariat. This is Morishima’s seventeenth successful defense of the title, his fourth in his homeland of Japan. Interestingly enough, it is also his first ever defense where he won with a move other than his vicious back drop suplex. Morishima’s next ROH title match is scheduled for Motor City Madness 2007 this coming Friday.

Update from Dragon

Bryan Danielson left a MySpace message updating the fans on his condition after he sustained his serious eye injury back on 8/25/07 and had surgery to repair the damage

“This is just a quick message to say thank you to the hundreds of people who sent me their messages of support during the last week. I apologize, but most likely I will not be able to respond to all (or even most) of the messages. But I did read each one and am grateful for the encouragement. My eye is healing well, although my vision is still blurry and I still need to wear my eye patch (aaaaarrrrr matey!). They gave me an extra patch, so I took this as a sign from the heavens that Asparagus and I needed to have matching eye patches. Asparagus hated the idea and will never have the patience to have his retina re-attached, but he did put up with it long enough (barely!) for me to snap a quick photo.”

For those don’t know, Aspargus is one of Danielson’s dogs:

Great man.

The Vultures Take Their Prey

At the last Boston event Jack Evans had his problems with the No Remorse Corps of Roderick Strong, Davey Richards & Rocky Romero. Evans now has The Vulture Squad supporting him. Boston will see six man action when the No Remorse Corps take on The Vulture Squad of Evans, Ruckus & a new member that will be revealed that night. Julius Smokes will return to Boston in the corner of The Vulture Squad.

Look like Evans has finally delivered on what’s he has been saying. Bringing in J-Train and Ruckus was a huge step in the right direction and now he’s going to need to take one more by bringing in a new member into the fold. This match will test what the V-Squad brings to the table as far as team unity and the ability to deliver in the ring. The NRC have to make a big statement here that they shouldn’t be forgotten about too quickly in this three way war between new factions.

AndYou Say Chi-City, We Don’t Stop Naw Don’t Quit

We have learned that there will be a No Remorse Corps vs. Resilience singles challenge on that [9/15] PPV taping [in Chicago]. There will be three singles matches between the two factions that night. You know with ROH taping PPV that you are guaranteed huge matches.

Also signed for the 9/15 show will be a SHIMMER Grudge match between Daizee Haze and her amazing tag team partner Amazing Kong up against SHIMMER champion Sara Del Rey & Lacey, an unlikely duo if there ever was one.

ROH continues its three way faction warfare, this time using the PPV continuity to expand upon The Resilience vs. No Remorse Corps. This is actually the first “series” of one-on-one contests between any of the factions and you can make a good case that this one will determine which faction has the distinct superiority. It’s essentially a two out of three series although unlike a playoff series, all three matches will take place. My early guess is that with this being Aries’s first match on ROH PPV, a win for him is a virtual lock since interest among non-hardcore ROH fans should be high for his appearance. Unless Aries fights him, Roderick Strong should also get the win in his match to keep him in the upper echelon and as a commanding leader of the NRC. The other match would be a toss up depending on who is left on each side.

While it is true that SHIMMER matches in ROH sometimes don’t live up to the quality demonstrated on their DVDs, I think it will be as close to a “for sure” as possible that this SHIMMER tag match will be a very good, high class performance. Amazing Kong is basically a human wrecking ball in the ring and is a huge equalizer for Haze on that team. Haze has had problems with both Del Ray and Lacey, who don’t usually get along but will have to team up in order to take on a very imposing Kong and Haze who is motivated to win.

In Other News

Also signed for Boston will be a huge grudge match. BJ Whitmer turned on Delirious at the last Hartford event. Delirious is now out for blood. It will be Delirious vs. Whitmer on 10/5 in Boston in a grudge match!!!

Members of The YRR (it stands for Young, Rich & Ready For Action) from FIP will make their ROH debuts on 9/14 in Detroit and 9/15 in Chicago.

Mike Quackenbush has been signed to appear at the 11/2 show in his home territory of Philadelphia, PA.

I don’t have much to say about Delirious vs. Whitmer aside from that it comes off as very “mid card”, but I’ll wait to see how Whitmer’s latest heel run is going to go before making any further judgements.

If Steve Madison is still a part of YRR then I’m all for him coming up to ROH—he is a very solid technical wrestler (and ROH is need of more of them these days) who has matched up well with Erick Stevens and others down in Florida. I don’t like Chasyn Rance in the ring, but packaged with Kenny King and Sal Rinauro as a part of this unit it should be alright. At the least it will be good to see Rinauro in an ROH ring again, as in the right role he can be very effective.

It’s always good to know that Quackenbush is going to continue to make appearances and each one is now more special than the next because it is unexpected. I welcome more Quack any time.

Project 161, Week 6: Call and Response

Project 161 is now a week away from the projected debut date in Chicago and the march keeps going forward. Some angle advancement came from the ROH newswire itself as for the first time the company acknowledged 161’s presence on the interweb, via a message from The Briscoes:

Normally we wouldn’t do this, but The Briscoes insisted. To keep The Briscoes happy we are giving them this space. It is the least we owe them with the incredible year they are having for ROH. This is from the entire Briscoe family: “First of all, thank you for all the support. Now we have something to say to a certain individual out there. We ride our camper to almost every show. It is how we like to travel. A few months ago the camper was broken into, but oddly enough all that was stolen was a photo album. Now these personal and private photos have popped up on a website that we won’t dignify by naming. The site is run by an obviously disturbed, weak and pathetic person. Now we think that person is Kevin Steen. So Steen, when we get to Chicago and that Ladder Match you will not walk out. However, if this was anyone else we are telling you to MAN UP and face us. Stop hiding behind the internet with your BS writing. Stop being a coward. Man Up. You obviously know where to find us. We are sorry to trouble all of you with our problems, but this has gone too far and we have reached our limit.”

Not only do fans now have an explanation for how 161 was able to obtain those photos but you get the very obvious red herring of Steen’s involvement. Man, those Briscoes, maybe they’ve been knocked in the head a bit too much, because this is not Steen’s style at all. More than ever it seems we are heading towards a definitive confrontation on 9/15 between The Briscoes and this 161 group at the PPV.

Speaking of our favorite NAMBLA representatives, did I or did I not tell you last week that they are enlisting young boys for their service? “A Call to Arms” was sounded on the project161.com website, and more than a few easily brainwashed sheep have answered the call. Listen, when the kid touchers go down low, don’t say I didn’t warn you. The rhetoric of 161 continues to be (and I paraphrase) “you have free choice, but join us as a collective. You make the call, but if you don’t, you’ll join us anyway soon enough. Or we’ll come for you and take you down and then kill you.”

Fucking Nazis.

In the wake of a 161 MySpace going live, 161 confirmed that the project161.com website was the official and only place where his / her / their message was truly delivered. This would have been obvious given the CAPSLOCK SEIZURE OF THE MYSPACE SITE, which had the subtlety and charm of a twelve year old child endlessly banging thunder sticks during a Brooklyn Cyclones game.

161’s fashion design teams continue to get paid handsomely well as this week they not only posted another Briscoe picture but also a very lovely jpeg of Uncle Sam’s rotting corpse. Just in time for Halloween. Anyway if you click the smaller picture on the lower right, you get sent to a information form, where you can enter your email address and “deploy” as a member of 161. Respondents from the ROH message board who claimed they sent in their email address have stated they have not received anything yet as far as a message or instructions about what to do.

Hero’s Sandwich

September 7th, 2007

Dr. Christopher R. Azed, MD.

So Hero went to see a quack huh? Well I took the time to visit a quack of my own. Mike Quackenbush that is!

QUACK QUACK QUACK QUACK QUACK QUACK QUACK QUACK!

Oh wait, what’s that? I found something else that quacks too!

QUACK QUACK QUACK QUACK QUACK QUACK QUACK QUACK!

Salt in the wounds? Yes, very much so.

Honorarium

-Given an infinite amount of computer keyboards and an infinite amount of time, ROH fans will collectively complain about every single thing possible.

And that includes me.

-As I stated above, I think ROH really needs to add a few more wrestling “technicians” to its roster. In the wake of Danielson’s injury, there doesn’t seem to be many wrestlers who use technical chain wrestling and submissions as their primary base, compared to just a few years back when chain wrestling was a very important part of the ROH product. There has also been an evolution in style that favors the more high impact “NOAH” influenced match, which features stiff strikes and move for move finishing sequences. Now there aren’t as many wrestlers on the roster that really do a scientific wrestling approach to their match. Even those who are highly capable of doing a hold for hold catch based match such as Chris Hero, Claudio Castagnoli and Nigel McGuinness have not done so in ROH. They are favoring the more strong style, high impact moves, because it gets the larger crowd reaction. During their encounter on 8/25 it seemed that Hero and Claudio went European uppercut vs. big boot for twenty minutes, but didn’t do much chain wrestling or submission work that I know they’re capable of doing—I’ve seen them do it before. Of course you go for what the crowd pops for and that is good sense, but maybe a little bit of crowd re-education is necessary among the ROH fans. Maybe we have become too used to seeing these guys go balls out as opposed to building up a chess match of chains, reversals, dodge and the like. Bringing back technical wrestlers and the Pure style (if not the title, at least the style) would be a welcome addition and provide depth to the matches we see on any given ROH show.

-I’ve been watching some old school ROH as of late, neglecting to fulfill a promise to myself to re-watch some of the more likely contenders for 2007 match of the year, but whatever. I’ll do it later (procrastination is key!). So I popped in Reborn: Stage Two and felt like watching the Four Corner Survival match between McGuinness, Aries, Rocky Romero and Jimmy Rave. One thing that struck me was that Gabe (via his alter ego Jimmy Bower on commentary) was really pushing how this match was a huge opportunity for all of these guys to establish their name in ROH. He then declared that he thought all of these guys would be remembered in the years to come, perhaps as ROH champions or legends. He was right about two of them at least in Aries and McGuinness, and Rocky are still around doing his thing. In fact he is a huge highlight of this match, moving around fast and hitting everything on the money, including some wicked kicks. Aries has a huge home area pop and the crowd quickly embraced him even though he was just starting out in ROH. What I found amazing was how McGuinness got the crowd to go absolutely crazy with his European chain wrestling sequences. He is going lightening fast maneuvering and working all around his opponent and you can visibly see the crowd react so strongly. More and more stand up as the sequence goes on until it ends and Nigel gets a standing O from a wowed crowd. It happened so quickly, so naturally. There was no pretense by the fans that they “had” to chant something or they had to be super smart. It was a much smaller crowd, but they were just as passionate as the larger attended shows today.

Sometimes I wish more fans could go back to that state of mind as they watch shows. X out the super smark commentating as the match is ongoing about what moves a wrestler shouldn’t have done or how badly someone is selling the arm and just have fun. Lose yourself in the moment. Mark out. It’s okay to do so and not be hyper critical about everything. CM Punk remarked in his shoot that he was looking to give ROH’s “smart” crowd five minutes where they weren’t worrying about the technical merits about the execution of a headlock and instead just totally forget about it and let you go. I think ROH does get to those moments in these shows, Final Battle 2006, for example is a show filled with those moments where the crowd just explodes in joy, excitement and wonder. Still, it isn’t as easy as it used to be.

-Naomichi Marufuji has been on a dominating run in ROH this year. If you remember the news a while back, the plan was to give Nao a huge run and it has come true with wins this year against Sydal, Romero and Whitmer. If Marufuji continues to win out, it is pretty obvious he should deserve to have a title shot in ROH against Morishima or whoever is the champion.

-I’ll have to reserve most of my comments about the new ROH releases for next week, but I’ll say this for now: Live in Tokyo beats out Live in Osaka if you’re looking for great wrestling, but Live in Osaka is more wacky, fun and out there. More next week.

-Bayani you have my word that BoLA 2007 night 3 is going up on the Indy Buy In, when I finally get in 2009.

ROH Preview: Motor City Madness 2007 September 14th 2007 Detroit, MI

Michigan State Fairgrounds & Expo Center “Michigan Mart”
8:00pm belltime
1120 W. State Fair Ave.
Detroit, MI 48203

ROH World Title Match
Takeshi Morishima defends vs. winner of Four Corner Survival

Four Corner Survival- Winners Get World Title Shot That Night!!!
Roderick Strong vs. Delirious vs. Erick Stevens vs. Kevin Steen

I’ll talk about these two matches together, since one depends upon the other. The four way features four wrestlers on the mid / upper mid card battling it out, but basically they’re fighting to just be another statistic. Morishima has just run rampant through the ranks of the ROH roster (alliteration~!). The winner of the 4Cs will work hard and do his best and may even get those precious one or two moments where it seems like he can do it, win the top prize, but Morishima’s specializes in taking away that moment. He crushes the will of his opponents and then crushes their bodies with the Backdrop Diver. Let’s take a look at the field. One man (Strong) has already received a title shot and another (Steen) is going to get his due on another upcoming show. This leaves Delirious and Erick Stevens as the viable winner of the four way. Stevens would be a surprising choice since he is wrapped up in the NRC vs. Resilience issue. However, much like the match vs. SHINGO he represents a tough fight for the champ due to having similar styles. It would be a power vs. power game and Stevens could come out the better due to his body shape and mass. Fighting Delirious would give Morishima the definitive advantage in weight, power and brute force. Delirious would have to come in with a similar strategy to the one he used against Danielson in their championship matches—confuse, outmaneuver and look to submit the more imposing opponent. Delirious has been a great underdog babyface and can get the crowd behind him to support his cause. The recent attack by Alrbight, Pearce and Whitmer may have left some major psychological scarring (well, even more so than before) and that may make him even more mean and prepared to win.

World Tag Team Title Match
Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Austin Aries & Matt Cross

Another match where there seems to be a foregone conclusion as The Briscoes are heading to PPV to fight Steen and Generico in a ladder match. Not only do The Briscoes not have the physical belts in their possession, but they have quickly lost their patience and just want to beat the crap out of someone. Aries and Cross have come in at the wrong time. Is there a chance that Aries and Cross can come up with the shocking upset? Perhaps this is the case as Jay & Mark may have overlooked this team in favor of their opponents on the 15th. Aries and Cross may also have some surprising double teams planned, as this tag pairing is fresh and opponents may not expect some of their offensive attack.

First Time Ever
Naomichi Marufuji vs. El Generico

I really like this match up and think it is has a huge opportunity to be a show stealer. El Generico has been at the top of his game this year and especially in ROH has come through to win the hearts and minds of the fans with his hard work and spectacular moves. The Marufuji-Sydal match from Reborn Again didn’t quite live up to lofty expectations, but hopefully these two will bust ass and do this right. Generico’s personality could also help bring out some good in-match storyline elements. Marufuji has charisma and an underrated sense of humor. He can play along with events in the ring and I think with Generico being so out there and over the top he can get that chance.

Grudge Match
Rocky Romero vs. Jack Evans

We’ve seen this combination a fairly good amount of times already, but I’d be prepared to see it a few more times before the three way stable war is over. Rocky gave Evans a concussive kick to the head four months back and now Evans has his opportunity for revenge. The Vulture Squad may be there to watch his back and keep momentum in his favor.

Special Attraction Match
Jimmy Jacobs with Lacey vs. Chris Hero with Larry Sweeney, Sara Del Rey, Tank Toland & Bobby Dempsey

This is the first real test for Jacobs after his knee injury. You better believe the crafty Hero is going to try to exploit the tender body part. Jacobs is shorter and more lightweight, but has to take a more ground game approach based on the injury. This all seems to work in the favor of Hero. Factoring in Sweet and Sour Inc. Jacobs is also at a disadvantage in the numbers game. Can Jacobs take the win here as an underdog?

Plus more to be announced with: Bryan Danielson (Danielson will still appear if he can’t wrestle); Nigel McGuinness; Davey Richards; Brent Albright; BJ Whitmer; Claudio Castagnoli; Daizee Haze and others!!!

Going Home

Ringtones

It’s time to catch up on some of the mail bag from the last two weeks.

jtpwright11 asks about the NYC show and 161:

i didn’t even know you were going to ROH in NYC, i
had an extra ticket at the last minute(family
emergency). Anyhow, what did you think of the show?
I’m hearing Rave is on his way to TNA, so the 161
thing may end up being former Special K guys….i’m
blank there, and can’t wait to be surprised.
Jay

Yup, I’m always at the ROH NYC shows, usually up in the balcony for the Grand Ballroom shows (except for GBH V night 2 I was front row floor). It’s always a bit iffy if I can make the rest of the Tri-state shows, but Manhattan is always a definite.

I thought it was a terrific show that had a great opening match, slowed down quite a bit but then everything went full tilt once we got to the gen next three way. The second half was an awesome ride with just fun match and great match after MOTYC match after another MOTYC match. How can you go wrong with that?

It’s being reported that Rave is signing with TNA and will debut at the next PPV as a team with Lance Hoyt (yippie), so yeah, looking less and less that Rave will be part of this 161 deal. It also looks like Pearce, Whitmer. Albright and Hagadorn is a new unit, but NOT 161 (unless they do the big reveal on 9/15 and go back and do some explaining about the events from the past weekend). Since 161 is after the Briscoes, I’m now thinking it is a new tag team debuting, that Jimmy Jacobs IS a part of it (since he’s all smiling babyface all of a sudden and that could be a front), maybe along with Tyler Black to bring in a variation of D.I.F.H. to challenge for the tag titles. Just my guess, and any guess is as good as another at this point.

Johnathan continues our streak of fantasy Final Battle cards. By the way, keep sending them in if you’re interested!

First off, I must that I didn’t become a true RoH fan until earlier this year when I bought Joe vs. Kobashi and Supercard of Honor. Those led me to buying All Star Extravaganza III and Supercard of Honor II shortly thereafter. I also just bought This Mean War II, Fighting Spirit, Battle of St. Paul and Good Times, Great Memories. What can I say? Ring of Honor is the goddamn shizznit, but you already knew that.

I don’t know, maybe I’m just making a fool out of myself here, but I’m confident that this would be an exciting card.

Excellent choices to start off your collection. Being there live for Joe vs. Kobashi was a hell of an experience–the adrenaline rush during the match and after on the ride home has been hard to top, but ROH has gone on to do that several times. Live shows when you have that awesome match going on, well, it can’t be paralleled. If you’re looking to get more recent choices past those, definitely get Respect is Earned on DVD, A Fight at the Roxbury, Domination (which is very good even without McGuinness / Danielson which will be broadcast on Driven) and Live in Tokyo.

As to your fantasy card for Final Battle, I think it stacks up exceedingly well. I’d think Danielson will be healthy enough well before (assuming all goes well with the recovery) by December to get that Triple Threat in at some point. 3 way Gen Ex action is great and hopefully will happen throughout the fall in winter. I’m hoping it culminates in a three way Steel Cage Warfare match, but we’ll just have to wait and see if it develops. As far as Mitch Franklin joining up with Claudio, hmmm… well, if Bobby Dempsey is under the tutelage and training of Tank Toland and Sweet and Sour Inc. I’d guess Claudio would want to prove that he can also take one of the ROH students and develop them into greatness. HEY! And I’ve been wondering whatever happened to Sedrick Strong. That would be cool to bring him in to do a brother vs. brother angle and have Sedrick feel neglected b/c Roderick gets all the attention.

**The Independent Buy In**

2007

**PWG Battle of Los Angeles 2006: Night One (Strong / Romero, CIMA / Cross, Deliirous / Generico, 8 Man Tag)
**SHIMMER Women’s Athletes Volume 6 (MsChif / Melissa Last Woman Standing, Rebecca Knox / Allison Danger Pure Rules)
**PWG Hollywood Globetrotters (Super Dragon and Davey Richards vs. Roderick Strong and Jack Evans; Cape Fear (El Generico and Quicksilver) vs. Arrogance (Chris Bosh and Scott Lost); B-Boy vs. Frankie Kazarian; Alex Shelley vs. Chris Sabin.)
**PWG Beyond The Thunderdome (Super Dragon and Davey Richards vs. AJ Styles and Chris Daniels); Cape Fear vs. Arrogance; Joey Ryan vs. Chris Sabin)
**PWG Enchantment Under The Sea (Cape Fear vs. Briscoes; Matt Sydal vs. B-Boy; Super Dragon and Davey Richards vs. Arrogance; Austin Aries vs. Kevin Steen)
**wXw World Lightweight Tournament 2006 (Ares / Baron von Hagen, Pac / El Generico, Quackenbush / Roudin, 5 Way Tournament Match)
**ECWA Super 8 Tournament 2001 (Danielson / Low Ki, Danielson / Reckless Youth, Low Ki / Billy Fives, Danielson / Spanky)
**ROH FWA IPW:UK Frontiers of Honor 2 (Sydal / Richards, Cabana / Burridge, JC Thunder / Nigel McGuinness, Danielson / Brookside / Stone)
**PWG Battle of Los Angeles 2006: Night Two (Necro Butcher/Super Dragon, Hero/Horiguchi, Evans/Castagnolli)
**PWG Battle of Los Angeles 2006: Night Three (Generico / CIMA, Hero, Claudio, Necro, Romero / Cabana, Quicksilver, M-Dogg 20, Delirious, Generico / Sabin, Richards / Strong, Evans/ Horiguchi, Richards / CIMA)
**Chikara The Crushing Weight of Mainstream Ignorance (Quackenbush / Akuma, Steel / Steel, Sweeney / Kingston, Hair vs. Mask: Jigsaw / Icarus)
**Chikara King of Trios Night One (Order of the Neo Solar Temple / Los Ice Creams, Miyawaki, Yago & KUDO / Iron Saints, Sweeny, Eliis and Ryder vs. Neo Solar Temple POSEDOWN, Shima Xion / Nobutaka Moribe)
**SHIMMER Volume 7 (Daizee Haze/Cheerleader Melissa, Mercedes Martinez/LuFisto, Sara Del Rey/Nattie Neidhart)
**Chikara King of Trios Night Two (Sabin, Shelley and Dutt vs. Quackenbush, Jigsaw and Shane Storm / Hallowicked, Cheech and Cloudy vs. Lince Dorado, Pantera and Sicodelico Jr. / Olsen Twins vs. Miyagi and Yago / Quack T-Shirt Squad vs. Boyer and 2.0)
**Chikara King of Trios Night Three (Pantera, Lince Dorado & Sicodelico, Jr. vs. Mike Quackenbush, Jigsaw & Shane Storm / Kings Of Wrestling vs. Kudo, Yoshiaki Yago & Miyawaki / Mike Quackenbush, Jigsaw & Shane Storm vs. Kudo, Yoshiaki Yago & Miyawaki / Ricochet vs. Claudio Castagnoli / Daizee Haze vs. Sara Del Ray / Mokujin Ken vs. Mecha Mummy / Matt Sydal vs. Hallowicked)
**UWA Hardcore: Hour of the Dragon (Ultimo Dragon / Black Tiger, Chris Sabin / Josh Prohibition, Mike Quackenbush / Claudio Castagnoli, Tyler Black / Josh Ambercrombie)
**Fight Sports Midwest: Chapter One (Samoa Joe / Eddie Kingston, Larry Sweeney / Bryan Alvarez, Josh Ambercrombie / Austin Aries, Hydra / “Old Timer” Jeff King) **Fight Sports Midwest: Chapter Two (Alex Shelley / Low Ki, Mike Quackenbush / Tiger Mask IV, Human Tornado / Josh Ambercrombie)
**CHIKARA: Rey De Voladores (Chris Hero / Claudio Castagnoli, Chuck Taylor / Lince Dorado, Cheech & Cloudy / F.I.S.T. (Gran Akuma & Icarus), Chuck Taylor / Ricochet / Pac / Retail Dragon)
**SHIMMER Women’s Athletes Volume 8 (Sara Del Rey / Mercedes Martinez, Daizee Haze / Tiana Ringer, Nattie Neidhart / Portuguese Princess Ariel, Allison Danger / Lufisto)
**CHIKARA: Anniversario? (Hero / Quackenbush, Hallowicked / Kingston, Pantera & Lince Dorado / Castagnoli & Sweeney, Worker Ant / Hydra, Player Uno / Shayne Hawke)

**CHIKARA: Maximum Overdraft (F.I.S.T. / Briscoes, Mike Quackenbush / Black Tiger, Hero & Castagnoli / El Pantera & Lince Dorado, The Colony / Los Tres Deliriouses, Daizee Haze / Sara Del Rey—2 out of 3 Falls) (NEW ADDITION)

Maximum Overdraft is one of CHIKARA’s strongest cards this year, but more than that the strong card is backed up within the ring as well. As opposed to the last show at the New Alhambra (Anniversario!), almost the entire roster brings the “A” game in the ring and it pays off with a MUST SEE, MUST BUY show. The crowd also is with this show for most of these matches and is generally a whole lot more supportive and into the product. Believe me; a good crowd for the ECW Arena shows is very important, because otherwise it feels like they are taking place in a mausoleum.

ROH fans will be happy to know that The Briscoes are participating for the first time on a CHIKARA show and they bring a great effort to the match. It’s a non title Champions vs. Champions situation, but it still retains a feeling of importance and relevance. It’s a good test for Gran Akuma (who comes off looking great) and Icarus, who is obviously blown up by the end of the match. ROH fans who don’t keep up on the results may be surprised as to who wins and how it all ends.

Quackenbush vs. Black Tiger is the only moment where the crowd goes quiet, but I think it’s more of a Japanese crowd quiet than anything. These two have a nice match a little bit below their capabilities but still worthy of a watch.

The best part of CHIKARA is when they do comedy and get it right. Los Ice Creams vs. 2.0 and Los Tres Deliriouses (That’s not one, not two but THREE men dressed up in Delrious masks) are perfect examples of CHIKARA comedy done right. In particular the Deliriouses are a riot, but not only are they funny, but their match against The Colony gets really really good, really really fast. The three man moves that use the personalities of each team to the fullest are great. Delirious is great. Everything about this match is great.

I continue to be impressed by Lince Dorado and his mentor El Pantera also does a great job of playing technico to the Kings of Wrestling rudo act. I found it surprising that Claudio reverted to the rudo role against the Luchadors so easily in this one, even though there is obvious static in his teaming up with Hero (he plays the reluctant KoW member). The Luchadors vs.. KoW feud was just getting started at this point and it’s heading into a Cibernetico (8 on 8 match elimination) match with a team captained by the enthusiastically evil Mitch Ryder and the KoW vs. Lince and his Mexican crew.

Finally and a segue I cannot neglect the two out of three falls “final” encounter between Sara Del Rey and Daizee Haze (ahem ahem not really since they fight in other promotions and just had a match for CHIKARA’s second Pod Per Cast-available now!). For those that continue to be cynical about the value women’s wrestling on a show, there isn’t much I can say to ever convince you to take women’s wrestling seriously. This match however, is a very good women’s match, but also a good wrestling match. It used the three falls concept and storyline of rest periods and injured body parts, mixes in plenty of moments of action and gives you a concrete finish. I’d rank this one right up with any match on any SHIMMER release.

**SHIMMER Women Athletes Volume 9 (MsChif / Amazing Kong, Cheerleader Melissa / Sara Del Rey, Tiana Ringer / Nikki Roxx, Lexie Fyfe & Malia Hosaka / Allison Danger & Cindy Rogers) (NEW ADDITION)

Volume 9 hinges on its two main events of Amazing Kong vs. MsChif and Sara Del Rey vs. Cheerleader Melissa. It’s worth the purchase alone for these two very good, sometimes eye popping and mind blowing matches. I mean, when you see Amazing Kong stretch out MsChif and bend her arms and legs together, well I don’t know how you can’t just stare in befuddled amusement. Kong is really impressive in the ring as a powerhouse and comparisons to Samoa Joe ring true—a dominant warrior who is tough to put down. Whoever wins against her is going to get a big boost of reputation. Both women give 100 percent and have the crowd rocking and rolling in their reactions (SHIMMER crowds are very supportive and loud as it is, but they get brought to another level for this one). A few sloppy moments, but when it’s good, it’s really good. Del Rey and Melissa go the opposite way by providing a chain wrestling match and Melissa works the hell out of Del Rey’s leg. It’s a great catch-as-catch-can battle and again shows the naysayers that WOMEN CAN WRESTLE. Two different styles of main event level matches, but both equally worth watching and even as repeated viewing.

Elsewhere there is some very entertaining action, although it is good and solid, it is relatively unspectacular. If I never see a flash roll up or flying / hooking closeline again it would make very happy. Surprisingly a lot of what shines through in this volume is the personalities of the women. We’re very clear on who these characters are and what they’re about. Eden Black is the sporty “Lita” type of wrestler (although why as a face she keeps the “Jezebel” nickname I don’t know). Portia Perez is a jailbait looking girl who uses her small stature to surprise her opponents. Serena Deeb is the Ricky Morton like never say die babyface. Amber O’ Neal is the Material Girl who you know is spoiled and snobby but would kill to go on a date with. Her character is actually a guilty pleasure of mine and while she sometimes is off on how she executes moves, her heel tactics and attitude help to cover it up and keep her matches fun and entertaining. And yes, Amber, I am single and available.

Tiana Ringer vs. Nikki Roxx showcase some good face / heel wrestling. Tiana’s character takes another evolution with her wacky ka-ra-ate (she has a beautiful back kick that comes out of nowhere) and the crowd jumping all over her appearance (blue tights and pigtails) with “Smurfette” related chants is priceless. After watching this match you will see why Nikki Roxx was soon signed by TNA (and not surprised to see how they totally botched the job on using her on their show). Her babyface fire and charisma come through AND she cuts a very good promo to stake a claim at the main event for volume 10 (that’s for next week’s column).

However, I agree with Brad Garoon in his review (link below) of this show when he critiques the promos of several of these women. Allison Danger, for instance, someone who I have always supported in this column, goes waaaaay over the top in her promo on Cindy Rogers. It sounds way too plaintiff and doesn’t even really apply to SHIMMER storylines, since their on screen friendship had only one show of development. Sure Danger claims she and Rogers have years of friendship on the road, but fans at home don’t get the benefit of seeing that develop. It’s like when Karen Angle left Kurt Angle 40 minutes into her on screen debut. I just can’t care as much as she wants about their broken friendship, although I ACTUALLY loved the in ring turn Rogers does on this show. It’s not the same exact thing but it gave me flashbacks to Rick Martel’s turn on Tito Santana at Wrestlemania V.

The women’s promos here are too forced, too stereotypical wrestler speak. Sometimes even the more experienced wrestlers such as Del Rey and Melissa come off as nervous or overly cheesy. This creates a paradoxical impression because they kick ass in the ring, but have limited promo growth. While I definitely support the product, I think something drastic needs to be done with the promos to counteract the cheesiness and get these girls to act naturally.

The ROH List
**Fifth Year Festival: NYC (Samoa Joe / Morishima, Homicide / Rave, Briscoes / Cabana & McGuinness, Albright / Whitmer, Evans / SHINGO / Xavier / Jacobs)
**Fifth Year Festival: Philly (Homicide / Morishima, Sydal & Daniels / SHINGO & Evans, Briscoes / Generico & Steen, Castagnoli / Aries, McGuinness / Perkins)
**Fifth Year Festival: Chicago (Morishima & McGuinness / Joe & Homicide, Cabana / Jacobs, Strong & Richards / Aries & Cross, Daniels & Sydal / The Briscoes, Albright / Castagnoli)
**Fifth Year Festival: Liverpool (Joe / McGuinness, ROH World Tag Team Titles: The Briscoes / Doi & SHINGO / FIP Title: Strong / PAC, 2/3 Falls: Delirious / Matt Sydal) **Fifth Year Festival: Finale (Joe / Homicide, Fight Without Honor: McGuinness / Rave, ROH World Tag Team Titles: Doi & SHINGO / Richards and Strong, Sydal / PAC, Falls Count Anywhere: Whitmer / Jacobs)
**All Star Extravaganza III (ROH vs. Dragon Gate 8 Man Tag, Strong / Evans, Mochizuki / Richards, Cabana / Sydal / Hero / Pearce, Homicide / Daniels)
**Supercard of Honor II (CIMA, SHINGO and Yokosuka / Dragon Kid / Saito / Mochikzuki, Strong / Aries, Whitmer / Jacobs, Evans & Doi / Richards and Romero, McGuinness / Hero, Daniels & Sydal / Delirious & Jay Briscoe)
**Fighting Spirit (ROH World Title: McGuinness / Morishima, Jay Briscoe and Erick Stevens Mark Briscoe / El Generico & Kevin Steen, Evans & Delirious / Strong & Romero, Claudio / Romero, Cabana / Williams)
**The Battle of St. Paul (ROH World Title: Morishima / Aries, FIP Title: Strong / Daniels, Delirious / Stevens / Romero / Evans, Albright & Pearce / Homicide & Cabana/ ROH World Tag Titles Ultimate Endurance)
**Good Times, Great Memories (ROH World Tag Team Titles: Briscoes / Murder City Machine Guns, Roderick Strong / Jack Evans, ROH World Title: Morishima / SHINGO, Austin Aries / Rocky Romeo, Adam Pearce / Colt Cabana, 6 Man Mayhem: Deliirous, Quackenbush, Hallowicked, Jigsaw, Akuma, Primeau)
**A Fight at the Roxbury (Four Corner Survival: Quackenbush / Hero / Castagnoli / McGuinness, ROH World Title: Morishima / Jay Briscoe, El Genercico / Matt Sydal, Steen / Briscoe, Danielson / Rave)
**Respect is Earned (ROH World Tag Team Title: The Briscoes / Castagnoli & Sydal, Danielson & Morishima / McGuinness & KENTA, Marufuji / Romero, Tag Team Scramble, Toland / Albright) (NEW ADDITION)
**Domination (ROH World Tag Team Titles, 2 out of 3 Falls: Briscoes / Hero & Castagnoli, Steen & Generico / Jigsaw & Quackenbush, Morishima / Strong, Sydal / Hallowicked, Lacey / Daizee Haze) (NEW ADDITION)
**United We Stand (Danielson & McGuinness / Marufuji & Morishima, KENTA / Rocky Romero, NRC vs. Resilience) (NEW ADDITION)
**Live in Tokyo (ROH World Title: Morishima / McGuinness, Briscoes & Marufuji / Sydal, Ricky Marvin & Atsushi Aoki, Danileson / Go Shiozaki, Fight Without Honor: Delirious / Strong ) (NEW ADDITION)

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

ROH @ 411 This Week

Here is what 411 has been talking about for the last two weeks as it relates to ROH.

First of all, Michael Weyer has an excellent, MUST READ if you’re an ROH fan and a EVEN MORE MUST READ if you’re a TNA or WWE fan as he spotlights Ring of Honor. He gives you a ton of reasons why ROH is getting to be the best in the game right now. It’s not just a “rah rah’ type of piece, but rather a fair examination of what makes ROH work.

J.D. Dunn has reviewed Supercard of Honor II and speaks highly of Jacobs vs. Whitmer.

Brad Garoon and Jacob Ziegler continue their wonderful dynamic duo coverage of ROH shows and take us through early May with their look at Reborn Again, featuring Bryan Danielson’s return.

Garoon goes solo and takes on the aforementioned SHIMMER volume 9. His thorough FIP coverage reviews their latest DVD releases including Unfinished Business 2007 (looks to be a must buy) Dangerous Intentions 2007 and In Full Force 2007.

Garoon also puts forth his argument about women’s wrestling on ROH pre shows and main shows. I happen to disagree here, but I don’t know if I have the time to fully elaborate on my own arguments for women’s wrestling on the actual shows.

More columns for you to read:

Larry Csonka and Stuart Carapola debate the issues on this week’s Buy or Sell.

It’s the battle for an ROH contract as CM Punk and Colt Cabana face off in The Independent Mid Card.

Honor Bound Links

For the last time Nick Marisco hits you up with Friday’s News and then John Meehan gives you Saturday News. There’s a bit of programming rescheduling on the agenda here at 411.

Alex Mattis covers the independent scene on The Best of the Rest

Joe Estee brings his Keys to the Game to a very interesting and bizarre week of wrestling.

Magnus Donaldson, who does excellently well detailed CHIKARA reviews, debuts his new column that looks at the worst in pro wrestling, Cut to the Crap. Must…resist…making bad…TNA…jokes.

Sat and Uncle “Brass Knux in the” Trunx go High Road and Low Road on Candace Michelle. WOAH. Back away from the double entendre, nice and slowlllly.

Bayani Domingo gives you the run down on the PWG Battle of Los Angeles.

Steve Cook is cooking with Ask 411.

WWE, You’re An Idiot.

Finally I appear elsewhere this week, doing Fact or Fiction up against Michael F’N Bower.

That will cover it for this week—next week I’ll definitely have that write up on the new ROH releases (had to be cut for space) and I’ll give you the down low on Motor City Madness ’07 and a preview heading into ROH’s third PPV! A good Rosh Hashana for my fellow Jewish brethren out there.

Brooklyn! DAH EM BAH SEE!
–Ari–