411 ROH Roundtable Preview: Chicago Ridge – Pay-Per-View Taping – 9/15 (Part II)

PAY-PER-VIEW TAPING
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 – CHICAGO RIDGE, IL

Daizee Haze & Amazing Kong vs. Sara Del Rey & Lacey
Stuart Carapola: I’ve heard good things about Amazing Kong, but Sara Del Rey has been the backbone of SHIMMER and the ROH women’s division as well. In the end, I think that Del Rey’s going to make Daizee Haze her bitch for roughly the ten millionth time in the last year.

Winner: Sara Del Rey & Lacey

Alex Barcham: Sara Del Ray is the bad ass champion and she needs a challenger. I’ve heard good things about Amazing Kong so she could be the one to fill that role. They’ll start a feud with Kong getting the win by pinning Lacey.

Winner: Daizee Haze and Amazing Kong

Jarrod Westerfeld: Uhm…this is a joke, right? Am I really going to expect that my girl, Del Rey, and Lacey are going to be able to handle Amazing Kong? Sorry, but this doesn’t look like it’ll be the type of match I can expect an upset, even if the finish is coming down to Del Rey or Lacey beating down on Haze because there is too much build behind [Haze], and plus she’s teaming up with the most dominant woman since Aja Kong. You know, now that I think about that, can we get Kong vs. Kong going on here, instead?

Winner: Daizee Haze & Amazing Kong

Ari Berenstein: This may be the best chance in quite a while for SHIMMER and women’s wrestling to shine within an ROH event. Plain and simple, in my estimation this match DESERVES to be on the main card just by looking at the talent level of those involved. Add Amazing Kong’s ROH debut and what she can bring to the table as a dominant force in the ring and I think we could be set for something special. Chicago is SHIMMER-central, so hopefully the love will be loud and clear for the ladies. As far as who wins, I think Kong’s presence tips the balance heavily in Daizee Haze’s direction. Del Rey and Lacey have no experience teaming with each other and cannot match up against Kong’s power.

Winner: Daizee Haze and Amazing Kong

Michael Bauer: I agree with what has been said about no or never for SHIMMER in the Ring of Honor. As for the match, expect the champ to go over.

Winners: Sara Del Rey and Lacey

Larry Csonka: Tremendous, some good old SHIMMA action on the card. I dig all four ladies, they always bring the good but Death Ray and Kong rock you like a hurricane. This should be a really good match, but NO ONE takes down Kong!

Winner: Daizee Haze & Amazing Kong

Theo Fraser: This is certainly one of the most highly anticipated special attraction SHIMMER matches in ROH history. Fans have been longing for an Amazing Kong debut for some time now, and finally that wish is granted. Seeing Del Rey and Kong square up against each other will be a spectacle, no doubt. Ultimately, Kong’s looking to impress, so a decisive win for her is imperative, both so that she assures future ROH bookings AND also a shot at the SHIMMER World title.

Winners: Daizee Haze & Amazing Kong

Jerome Cusson: As a note, I will be there live for this event, and this the match I’m most curious to see. I’ve heard so much praise for Amazing Kong, and I want to see how good she is. Sara Del Rey is someone I’ve never seen wrestle live either, so I’m looking forward to this as well. Plus, Lacey is associated with Jacobs while Del Rey is with Hero and Sweeney’s stable. Not to mention Haze and Lacey have their own issue to resolve.

Winner: Daizee Haze & Amazing Kong

Brad Garoon: Kong and Del Rey are really the only two women I give any kind of pass to in ROH, so I’m glad they’re both in this match. The nod goes to Kong and Haze because Kong is too much awesome to defeat.

Winners: Haze & Kong

Samuel Berman: Wish I had something to say, but I honestly don’t care who wins. I like Daizee the most of anyone in the match, so I’m picking her to win.

Winners: Daizee Haze & Amazing Kong

411 Staff Picks: Daizee Haze & Amazing Kong (8-2)

Matt Sydal vs. Delirious
Stuart Carapola: When a departing ROH star’s final match is not for the ROH World Title, I’m usually inclined to pick them to win on their way out. However, it seems to me that though ROH spent quite a lot of time helping to build Sydal into one of the biggest stars on the indy scene, Sydal’s been all about business in his contract negotiations of late. Not that this means he’s screwed ROH over on his way out or anything, but I think he’s been doing business and he’s going to do business on his way out the door by putting over his trainer.

Winner: Delirious

Alex Barcham: I think Matt Sydal will do the right thing and put his long-time rival over on his way out. Sydal isn’t the monster that Samoa Joe was so losing in his last few matches isn’t a problem. This should be a great farewell match for Sydal until he comes back in a year after WWE realizes he’s 5’8″ and kind of skinny.

Winner: Delirious

Jarrod Westerfeld: After the previous night, I don’t think Sydal is going to be going over someone that might potentially become the next big contender for Morishima to face off. Not only that, but Sydal is heading out the door soon, and there’s no way they’re going to start up a program with him this late into his move to the WWE, so odds are they’ll be handing him random matches that build to his final match.

Winner: Delirious

Ari Berenstein: There’s no better way to end Sydal’s tenure in ROH than by matching him up one more time against the guy he’s fought the most in ROH and the man he started out with in a Do or Die match to get to the main show. Sydal and Delrious know each other so well that you know they’ll bring a quality performance to the ring. I just wonder if Delirious is going to give Sydal a farewell speech and if he does, will we understand anything he says?

Winner: Delirious

Michael Bauer: Matt Sydal’s last match I believe I the Ring of Honor and what an opponent. Unlike Colt or Joe, he doesn’t need to win in his last match, so give the Lizard Man a little rub here.

Winner: Delirious

Larry Csonka: Sydal is on the way out, Delirious ill be coming off of a loss the night before, take care of your own ROH.

Winner: Delirious

Theo Fraser: Normally with this type of match, I’d go with the guy staying with the company, to help put him over etc. But in this case, I think the opposite would be the better bet. Just because Sydal’s leaving, it doesn’t mean he has to drop all the excellent character development he’s made over the past few months. A win for the cocky high-flyer before he departs to pastures new would be terrific so that he gets the bragging rights on his way out of the company. These two always deliver in the ring, so expect a highly athletic contest with a ton of nods to their previous encounters. This can be viewed as a ‘Best Of’ of the Matt Sydal vs Delirious series that has spanned around 3 years.

Winner: Matt Sydal

Jerome Cusson: All indications are that this could be Sydal’s last ROH match. Honestly, I’m sort of neutral about his leaving. He was a good wrestler, but he never has that real awesome feud or match like so many other ROH legends have had. Plus, he never even challenged for the ROH world title or even the Pure Title. These two had their first ROH match against each other, so it’s only fitting Sydal’s last match comes against Delirious.

Winner: Delirious

Brad Garoon: I’ve seen this match so many times that it’s burned me out and I can’t get myself to care that I’ll be seeing it happen for the last time live. It should be good, and I hope they change up the dynamic a bit to make it special. With all the other big attractions on this show this will have to do a lot to stand out. No reason for Sydal to go over here. Delirious needs real wins if he’s going to get pushed as hard as I think ROH is going to push him.

Winner: Delirious

Samuel Berman: These two are pretty much automatic in the ring together, which is to be expected when two guys have faced each other in pretty much every match imaginable every other weekend for five years. The new ROH trend seems to be leaving the company on a win (see also, Joe, Samoa and Cabana, Colt) after YEARS of it being the opposite (see also: London, Paul and Punk, CM), so Sydal would appear to have a very real shot at going out on top. That said, Sydal doesn’t exactly have the profile of the two other stars to recently leave the company, and neither of them was facing an opponent who needed to be kept strong in the way Delirious does. Giving the masked man the win here further establishes him as an upper mid-card player, while a loss to a guy not perceived as being a major singles threat (which honestly Sydal has never been) would do a lot to derail Delirious’ recent progress. The nice part is that this may actually main event the live show, what with both title matches being a part of the Pay-Per-View taping during the first half.

Winner: Delirious

411 Staff Picks: Delirious (9-1)

ROH World Tag Team Titles, Ladder Match: Jay & Mark Briscoe © vs. Kevin Steen & El Generico
Stuart Carapola: I think we all expected this feud to be blown off after the Hartford and NYC shows a few weeks ago, but here we are for what is now officially going to be the final match between these two teams. It’s also ROH’s first ladder match, and I can’t imagine what we’re in for considering some of the bumps these guys have given each other already and also the fact that none of the four seem the slightest bit worried about getting hurt. I might have an easier time picking a winner if I could think of other contenders, but I really can’t think of any without picking assorted members of the various factions that are cluttering up ROH right now. However, the Briscoes have been proving themselves as the best tag team in North America all year…it’s been the Year Of Briscoe, and I see them finishing the year still the champions, so I’ll be pretty surprised if Steen & Generico walk out of Chicago with the title.

Winner: Jay & Mark Briscoe

Alex Barcham: The fact that we’re finally getting a ladder match in ROH is exciting enough, but the fact thats its being brought in as the culmination of this perfectly build feud makes it even better. I’m picking the Briscoes to win this match because they should stay in the tag title scene and the Briscoes vs. Steenerico feud has finally run its course. I expect the Briscoes to get the win in a spectacular and brutal match after which Steen will turn on Generico to start a long feud between the two.

Winner: Jay & Mark Briscoe

Jarrod Westerfeld: Here comes the finale to this feud, and possibly the start of Project 161, whatever it may end up being. Time to see just how invested ROH is in Steen and Generico, which may soon break down into a feud between the two, by seeing how many times they tease winning this thing before a Briscoe simply comes flying out of nowhere to break their momentum. If this ends up being anything like their Best of Three falls match back at the last New York show [at the Manhattan Center], then expect to be pulling your hair out for every false finish they pull out of this thing.

Winner: The Briscoe Brothers

Ari Berenstein: Kevin Steen and El Generico stole physical possession of the belts, The Briscoes want them back. It’s simple, its effective and it makes me want to see these two teams go at it. Throw in the fact this is the first ever Ladder match rules and we’re in for a treat for the PPV taping. Hopefully ROH has invested in a WWE style ladder and not the usual flimsy mishegas ladder they usually have under the ring. I’m crossing my fingers everyone walks away okay after this one. To be honest, I really don’t have a clue as to who will win, because a lot of this depends on how Gabe wants to go in the booking. Do you have 161 cost The Briscoes the belts and let Steen and Generico start a tag title reign? Do you have The Briscoes come out on top, only to be attacked by 161 and start a feud for the titles? I don’t know for sure, but my gut says the latter.

Winner: The Briscoes

Michael Bauer: Ok, this match should be brutal, plain and simple. I don’t know how they top the two of three falls match, but with the Briscoes and their style, it might be too easy at the same time. While I want to see the combo of Steen and Generico win, I just can’t see Ring of Honor pulling the switch here. Especially not when it seems like some more heels teams are rising up through the ranks. Steen-erico doesn’t fit the typical face mode.

Winners: The Briscoes

Larry Csonka: IT IS TIME FOR STEENERICO (~!) TO TAKE WHAT IS THEIRS! It’s been a good run Briscoe Brothers, but the run is over, LONG LIVE STEENERICO~!

Winner: Kevin Steen & El Generico

Theo Fraser: As this is the first ever official Ladder Match in ROH history, you just know these guys are going to take each other to the limit. They’ll go above and beyond what’s expected of them, as they do each time they step into the ring with each other, and I think we’ll see something truly crazy come November when this is shown on PPV. Again, I pray for their safety, as with ladders involved I imagine someone will be taking a pretty tall tumble to the floor, and injuries are highly likely. Of course, injury is exactly what Kevin Steen has in mind, as he’d be quite happy to cripple his opponents. This is the feud-settler, and what better way to go out? All out, balls to the wall craziness, and ultimately the tag team champions will stand tall above the strewn carcasses of two broken bodies below.

Winners: Jay & Mark Briscoe

Jerome Cusson: ROH has never had a ladder match up to this point. They’ve certainly used ladders before, but this will be a new experience for ROH fans. The biggest concern I have is that no one gets hurt. Mark Briscoe has already suffered a concussion this year, and the viciousness of this feud will lead to some risks being taken. I expect chaos, brawling, blood, and the end of this feud. After the match is over, I expect even more chaos, which I’ll get into with the questions.

Winners: Jay & Mark Briscoe

Brad Garoon: This should be insane. I’m sure the Briscoes will win and I’m sure Project 161 will be involved either during or after the match and I’m sure that the match will be great. What I’m not sure about is what Steen and Generico will do after the match is over. Without the tag belts the only thing I see for them is a feud against the Resilience. I really hope that happens, as there’s already a built in reason for them to fight (Stevens being sore about getting taken out of his match with Jay Briscoe against Steen and Generico). At any rate I just hope they find something good to do with ROH’s newest great heel Kevin Steen and his lovable partner in crime.

Winners: The Briscoes

Samuel Berman: I could write a novel about this match and feud, but I think most of what I think has been included somewhere above. The Briscoes are going to retain, leading to an even bigger challenge from Project 161, whoever that ends up being. Should be an absolute classic. Oh, and for those who say that Steen & Generico have to win the titles here to be taken seriously, remember that that’s the same thing people said about the Briscoes heading into their final shot at Aries & Strong. How’d that turn out?

Winners and STILL ROH World Tag Team Champions: Jay & Mark Briscoe

411 Staff Picks: Jay & Mark Briscoe (9-1)

ROH World Title: Takeshi Morishima © vs. Bryan Danielson
Stuart Carapola: It’s one thing for Danielson to be back in the ring so quickly after the initial injury to his eye, but the fact that he’s going back in so soon against the guy who caused that injury amazes me. I would like to think that they’re going to work a softer style in light of what happened in Manhattan, but I have a feeling that these two are going to work at least as stiff as they were in Manhattan because of a)the expectations created by that first match, and b)the fact that this is going to be on PPV. Now, since he retained against Nigel McGuinness in Japan, my theory has been that when Morishima loses the ROH World Title, it’s going to be on PPV. I don’t think there’s any better candidate to take the title right now than Bryan Danielson, but I don’t know that it’s going to happen here. As much as I’d like to see it happen, I think Morishima’s going up 2-0 on Danielson in Chicago.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima

Alex Barcham: This announcement is great news. With this match on the card along with the ladder match and Sydal’s last match this show could rank right up there with the best shows ROH has ever done. As for who is going to win, its a tough call. It certainly wouldn’t be a shock to see Dragon become the first two-time Ring of Honor World Champion, but I’m picking Morishima. If Morishima beats Dragon in another incredible match on PPV it will build him to incredible heights as the monster heel champion and make it that much bigger when he finally loses the belt to someone else.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima

Jarrod Westerfeld: Well, it looks like ROH is going to go into their plans after all. If Danielson is truly healthy, this will be just as good, if not better than the previous match these lads had at the Manhattan Center back in August, but the fear lingering over the head of this one is if Danielson will reinjure that eye and permanently lose sight in it. That’s something no one deserves to have hang over their brilliant young career, and it’s the scare ROH will have to try and cope with in order to follow through with their plans for this bout. The main question will be if Morishima will look too soft trying to protect Bryan, or if he’ll disregard the injury just to maintain his momentum as the monster of the main event scene – the injury helped solidify his heat as a monster, but if he has to go in there to protect Bryan and prevent further aggravating his eye, he may suddenly lose all of that heat and look too human for the run he currently has. And another question is if Dragon is healthy enough to take the title and the duties of the title away from Morishima, who in many ways has served out all of his purposes as champion – I don’t think he is healthy enough right now, and ROH may want to wait out for Danielson’s role in the NWA as if he’s the NWA World Champion, you can play off of that in many ways and really solidify the legend of Bryan Danielson.

Winner: Morishima

Ari Berenstein: I predicted this match would go down before the news broke, but I’m not all that thrilled to be right. If I’m booking, Danielson gets nowhere near active duty for six weeks after his surgery. However, ROH has chosen the controversial route of putting Danielson out there only three weeks afterwards. ROH should take a bunch of heat for it, but they might need or want that huge match to market the third show and continue to follow through their plans. This is the world of pro wrestling after all, and sometimes valor and discretion takes a backseat to booking. It’s pretty clear that Bryan Danielson was the likely candidate to get the title shot before he was injured in the title match on 8/25/07. Now Danielson is going to great lengths to keep his appointment for said title shot on PPV and I’m not sure I like it. Yes it’s Danielson’s choice and if a doctor clears him, well I guess he can go, but even so, after such a huge injury I would put safety first before continuity. It’s not like you couldn’t have put the Manhattan match on the PPV. In fact, I would have preferred that make the show, since that was such an awesome gale force of a match that they’re going to have to try very hard to top it. And if they don’t top it, will everyone be saying this was a huge disappointment? No win situation all the way to me. I’ve been thinking all along that its Danielson vs. Morishima II at the third PPV and Morishima retains leading into a triple threat match (Gabe loves his old ECW) between the champ, Danielson and McGuinness at the fourth PPV. I’m not backing off from that now.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima to retain.

Michael Bauer: Wow, this is just nuts. Let me go on record to say that if they can either match or top their match in New York (which I saw live from the front row), then they deserve Match of the Years since Wrestlemania 20. Danielson, I have tons of respect for you and I seriously hope you know what you are doing, because I would hate for you to be out for a long time. This match will be stiff, it will be brilliant, and if anyone can beat Morishima for the title, it has got to be Danielson.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Larry Csonka: Man, I got some heat for saying Danielson should think about a revamped in ring style…oh well, shit happens. I really question Danielson doing this match, it will be brutal and maybe not in his best interest. But he’s a big boy and had done a lot for the company. What the hell, give him title #2!

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Theo Fraser: Well this was totally unexpected. Again, I’d reiterate the concerns over Danielson’s welfare, as it really doesn’t seem like a good idea to step into the ring with someone as ‘snug’ as Morishima when you’ve only just recovered from major eye surgery. But knowing Danielson, the crazy bastard that he is, he’ll probably let ‘Shima work over his injured eye! As for an outcome, I still don’t see Morishima’s title run coming to a close just yet. This’ll no doubt be a great contest to put on PPV, and it will hopefully lead to a triple threat between Morishima, Danielson and McGuinness, perhaps as soon as the 4th PPV taping. As far as this match goes, the ‘Dragon Slayer’ will strike once again.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima

Jerome Cusson: I have to say I’m shocked as hell that Danielson is even wrestling at all this weekend. The fans of Chicago might witness one of the greatest matches in the history of ROH here. If I wasn’t so confident that Morishima will be the champion in early November for the NOAH shows, I’d pick American Dragon. Certainly, this will be a brutal classic.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima

Brad Garoon: At this point we all already know that Morishima is facing Danielson on the PPV, and I actually think Danielson is taking the belt. A lot of people think that because Misawa is coming in and will be fighting Morishima at least in a tag match that Morishima will stay champion until November, but I have my doubts. The timing just feels right, with Danielson coming back early from a disgusting injury at the hands of the champion, I think he’ll reclaim his belt.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Samuel Berman: I don’t think you rush a guy like Danielson back from an injury for a Pay-Per-View taping unless it would REALLY screw up the booking to have him miss the show. That, to me, means it’s time for the American Dragon to take his title back. I’ll probably be wrong (because I’m also the guy who picked Colt Cabana to win the ROH World Title last August), but there’s never been an ROH World Title change in Chicago (it’s true, look it up) and I think it’s high time that changed.

Winner and NEW ROH World Champion: “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson

411 Staff Picks: Takeshi Morishima (6-4)

Who will win more matches in the series of singles matches between the Resilience and the No Remorse Corps?
Stuart Carapola: I have to say that still, I don’t think The Resilience is anywhere near the level of the NRC and, aside from Aries, I can’t picture any Resilience members getting a singles win over a member of the NRC. Maybe if it were another tag match, but Strong, Richards, and Romero are just too solid of singles wrestlers to be jobbing to the likes of Stevens and Cross.

Alex Barcham: The Resilience have consistently gotten beaten up and beaten by the No Remorse Corps. They need need to pick up some victories here or else they’ll just turn into jobbers. I’d look for Cross to pull a much needed upset over Davey Richards. Aries will get the win over Rocky Romero with Erick Stevens losing to Roderick Strong after a ton of cheating by the No Remorse Corps.

Jarrod Westerfeld: I think I need to hand it to the Resilience simply because of the heat around Aries and the surprising heat around Stevens – I mean, Albert would have killed for that type of reception [Stevens] got at the Respect is Earned show. Not only that, but it is starting to feel like they’re going to really try and focus in on putting over an Aries and Evans feud to begin, which’ll add to the current feud between these two units. It might just be a marginal lead in victories, but it may be enough to solidify how strong ROH wants to push these new guys over the more establish ROH players in Richards, Strong and Romero.

Ari Berenstein: Looking at this from either a PPV to PPV or a show to show perspective the NRC has had the advantage and “winning” pretty much all throughout the last seven months. With the exception of several tag matches, its practically been an NRC rout. Even Austin Aries’ return couldn’t change the tide all that much…until now. All that’s about to change. The Resilience will take the PPV series over the NRC two matches to one. Austin Aries made a huge return to ROH at the 2nd PPV taping, about to be shown at the end of this month. It’s time to show the PPV watchers, hardcore and new, causal fans alike, that Aries means business. He will win his match and he will motivate one of his two charges to victory. Roderick Strong will win his match in the series, leading in my mind to the natural one on one match (or rematch if you’re referring to the overall continuity) between the two faction leaders Aries and Strong at the fourth PPV taping.

Michael Bauer: I’m gonna say the NRC here by a two to one margin. Cross will lose to whoever he faces with Austin Aries and Roderick Strong defeating Davey Richards/Rocky Romero and Erick Stevens respectfully. Although, they could pull the swerve and let it end 1-1 with the Vulture Squad screwing up the final match.

Larry Csonka: I have no clue, as in that I don’t have a certain feeling one way or the other. I think it will be the Resilience that takes the most wins, because I think Aries and his boys need the boost to kick this war up a notch. Some good matches should be had, which is always a plus.

Theo Fraser: I’m really looking forward to this one, although how much of it makes the actual PPV is another matter. Personally, I’m hoping for Davey Richards vs Austin Aries III, as their previous encounters have been heavily underrated and I’d love to see them duke it out one more time as part of this Resilience/NRC war. The No Remorse Corps have had their fair share of wins, so it’s about time the Resilience get their act together and pull some wins out. I predict a Resilience win, 2-1.

Jerome Cusson: I think the matches will be as follows: Matt Cross vs. Roderick Strong, Erick Stevens vs. Rocky Romero, and Austin Aries vs. Davey Richards. I think The Resilience gets a huge victory here with Stevens and Aries getting the victories for their group. I think Aries and Strong will be saved for the next taping and that match-up will be teased after the third match.

Brad Garoon: I’m not confident in my pick but I think the NRC is taking this series 2-1. This feud has produced some great matches and shown that the NRC is gelling just about as well as a team as Generation Next did (albeit with a different dynamic) but it’s time to put this one to bed. I’m hoping that Strong goes up against Cross and really hurts him leading to the big six man war to end all wars to finish this and give the last hurrah to the Resilience before hopefully moving on to a feud against Steen & Generico.

Samuel Berman: I have Romero over Stevens, Aries over Richards and Cross over Strong in a huge upset, meaning it’s Resilience in a 2-1 series. Hopefully Evans will get involved and set us up for the road to a three-way Steel Cage Warfare near the end of the year.

What kind of debut and impact will Project 161 have at the show?
Stuart Carapola: This is, of course, assuming that Chicago is where Project 161 will come to light. I will say that I don’t think that BJ Whitmer, Adam Pearce, or Jimmy Rave will have anything to do with it. I do notice that the recently-absent Irish Airborne and the YRR are booked on the show, so I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see them make a Generation Next-like impact on that first show. I don’t think we’re going to be looking at a stable of wrestlers who are already established, at least not in ROH. I feel like this would be wasting a good gimmick when you can use it to establish some new talent, which is what ROH has been all about in 2007. Though I will say that I think the faction warfare is getting a little out of hand with so many people being linked to some group or another, ROH has been playing their cards very carefully with Project 161, and this is something the usually do when they’ve got something really good in store for us.

Alex Barcham: I really have no idea what to expect from the debut of Project 161 other than it will be big. They’ve done a great job promoting this angle online, but the psuedo-appearances they’ve made thus far have been somewhat lame. The photos posted of the Briscoes as kids on Project 161’s website is an interesting turn and should give them a good first feud. They really need to do something notable to make all of the buildup worthwhile.

Jarrod Westerfeld: A guy could dream as to what this thing could have been, or should be. But the end result may be a bit of a disappointment as the evidence begins to look more and more like it’s centered on Jacobs. The reason I think this would be a disappointment is because of the hype the fans have built up as to what it could be – which looking at the circumstances of many wrestlers being free from contracts, you do see a lot of possibilities to press the envelope for this thing. Many believe it could be revolved around former ECW alumni, specifically Paul Heyman who was confirmed to be free from his WWE contract. If it ends up being anything less than Heyman, something the fans hyped up themselves, then it just won’t be as well received as it should be.

Ari Berenstein: Well, it really is sink or swim time for this angle at this PPV taping. The internet blog action and weird NAMBLA recruiting tactics from strange men giving out DVDs and T-shirts outside the shows have all been foreplay. If Project 161 doesn’t have the right combination of members, or should I say, if it has the “wrong” choices (Irish Airborne, most of the YRR) then this could all go horribly array. I think the obvious moment to strike will be after the tag team title match, which could realistically main event and be the last match on the show. Taking out The Briscoes and doing the big reveal to conclude the third PPV would be the best way to make the impact needed to carry out this angle into the next few months and make it really as huge a moment as it should be. After this kind of build, ROH needs a home run for this angle. Anything less could kill it right out of the gate. My official prediction? It’s either Pearce, Whitmer and Hagardorn after all, or its Jacobs, Tyler Black and maybe a few other members fans may not have ever thought had a chance to show up in ROH. At least one current member of the ROH roster will be a part of this, as well as at least one wrestler who has never made his or her appearance in ROH before.

Michael Bauer: Something tells me that it will big, yet that same part says it will be a huge letdown. The problem for me is that I have yet to follow 161 really closely for the sake of trying to be as surprised as possible. So for this, I mostly have no comment.

Larry Csonka: Once again, I have no idea. I think that it is the time for some kind of IMPORTANT debut, a debut that “rocks the foundation of ROH” so to speak. Anything less will be shit on, as has a lot of this angle thus far. I mean, if it is just Jimmy Jacobs and some super EMO filed story, then no one will care. In all honesty, as said, I have no clue what the hell it will be, but it is time for Gabe to pull the rabbit from his hat here and deliver, or this will all have been a gigantic waste of time.

Theo Fraser: The PPV marks the company’s 161st event, and has been touted to be the official debut of Project 161. In recent weeks, the 161 site has been focused on two individuals in particular; Jay and Mark Briscoe. Which leads me to believe they’ll involve themselves in the Ladder War in some manner. Probably not the match itself, as I expect that to be a clean affair (if you can call something as brutal as a Ladder Match ‘clean’), but I see the 161 guys making a statement once the match is all said and done. As far as what kind of impact goes, I expect a complete obliteration of the South Delawarians. Forget ‘manning up’; once Project 161 are through with them, the Briscoes will have a hard time leaving the building on their own two feet.

Jerome Cusson: B.J. Whitmer, Adam Pierce, and Brent Albright will attack the Briscoes after their victory. The leader of the group, who I believe will be revealed as Jimmy Jacobs, won’t be revealed until Edison in two weeks. Albright and Whitmer will be the number one challengers for the belt after the weekend. Obviously, this will be huge as The Briscoes have some huge challengers to deal with coming up.

Brad Garoon: A big debut. We know that they’re coming for the Briscoes so look for ladders to be involved in the first real glimpse at Project 161. I think there will be violence and blood and a hot moment to kick off the war between Jay and Mark and the mystery bloggers. I wonder if they’ll keep the name Project 161 or change it to something else. I kind of hope they keep it, even though it’ll mean much less after the 161st show is over.