411 ROH Roundtable Preview: New York – PPV Taping & Final Battle 2007 – 12/29 & 12/30

Jerome Cusson, Friends and South Park Reviewer,

Jarrod Westerfeld, of Your Viral Dose of Reality,

Andy Clark, of The Shimmy,

Michael Bauer, of the ECW Recap,

Brad Garoon, of our ROH DVD Review team,

Ari Berenstein, of Column of Honor,

Theo Fraser, of Nintendophiles in the Games Zone,

And me, Samuel Berman, of The Independent Mid-Card.

Now that you’ve gotten a look at the contributors, here are our predictions for this weekend’s shows. Cards are current as of Thursday, 12/27.

PPV TAPING
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2007 – NEW YORK, NY

Three Way Match: Jigsaw vs. Necro Butcher vs. Matt Cross
Jerome Cusson: This is one of the oddest three-ways in history. Sadly, I think this is going to be a really disjointed affair because of the different styles involved. Necro is a brawler. Jigsaw is a mixture and Cross is a straight high-flyer. My preference is to see Jigsaw get the win here because of the many good matches he’s had recently. I’ve never been a huge fan of Necro and Cross has really disappointed me since his hot debut. Sadly, this looks like an Age of the Fall weekend.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Jarrod Westerfeld: Let’s see, the most random member for the Vulture Squad versus former member of J.O.B. Squad version 2.0 versus the former champion of Bum Fights videos; oh this should be fun to watch. About the only one out of here that really has a future within the company immediately following this match is Necro as he’s part of this big time faction that’s meant to shake up the foundations of ROH, if not wrestling or even society, so why would I bet on any other horse?

Winner: Necro Butcher

Andy Clark: Can’t say I really care too much outside of the fact that I’m disappointed that the ROH faithful have turned on Matt Cross. Necro Butcher is the easy choice, but ROH could use to opportunity to give Jigsaw a win.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Michael Bauer: I definitely agree with what was said before, this should be a weird three way match. Jigsaw and Cross will be seeing each other on Sunday, so I don’t expect them both to be involved in the pinfall. In fact, I don’t see either of them winning either.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Brad Garoon: So we’ve got the Vulture Squad vs. the Age of the Fall vs. the man without a country. This will be a mess. Necro is the monster in ROH right now so I’ll go with him.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Ari Berenstein: This is a sink or swim weekend for Cross. If he can perform well in the ring I think ROH will do more with him. However this is The Age of The Fall’s weekend and I think they sweep all their matches on the first night.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Theo Fraser: A real clash of styles in this one mean it could go either way, but I’m hoping for a good outing from these three. Matt Cross returns to ROH action in this match, and since the Resilience has disbanded during his time away, I’d suggest a win is vital for him to prove his worth as a singles competitor in the promotion.

Winner: Matt Cross

Samuel Berman: I’m running up against deadline to get this together, so my blurbs will be brief this time around. That said, I will at the very least resist the temptation to do these by coin flip or dice roll. Jigsaw gets the win over Cross.

Winner: Jigsaw

411 Staff Picks: Necro Butcher (6-1-1)

Three Way Match: Sara Del Rey vs. Lacey vs. Daizee Haze
Jerome Cusson: The good news is that we will hopefully see the end of this feud and begin seeing more women added to the mix. The bad news we have to watch yet another triple threat match. Honestly, why would Gabe book two of these on the same show? I’ve grown quite bored with this entire rivalry and seeing this is non-title while looking at Daizee not having gotten a victory in a while, I think she’ll win.

Winner: Daizee Haze

Jarrod Westerfeld: Technically, I have to pick my wife in this one, but secretly I’d like to see how this gets booked to make Lacey look like a true threat to Sara’s Shimmer title, more so than Daizee who still reminds me too much of Tai “Killer” Weed, only prettier looking, and not as zoned out as Rob Van Dam speeding down an Idaho highway. Another interesting note is this is the second Three Way Match on the card, so one must assume Gabe is planning on calling this event “Three Simple Ways to Tape a Pay-Per-View.” If that is not the title of this event then I’ll request my money back.

Winner: Sara Del Rey

Andy Clark: This should be good, and while the focus is on Sara and Daizee, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lacey get the win to help the AOTF get some traction in the women’s scene too.

Winner: Lacey

Michael Bauer: It’s a Non Title match, so you leave the door open for Sara Del Rey to lose, whether she gets pinned or not. I can’t wait to see what goth Lacey wears to the ring, end of story on that one. I’ll be pulling for a possible upset.

Winner: Lacey

Brad Garoon: How often do we see a chance for the ladies to do better than the guys? This is one of those chances as these three are all familiar with one another and could very well put on a match superior to the above-mentioned 3 way. Haze hasn’t gotten a title shot in ROH yet so…

Winner: Daizee Haze

Ari Berenstein: Continuing the AotF streak with a win amongst the women wrestlers. Lacey hasn’t done much in the ring since her character evolution and now is the time to remind everyone how deadly she can be in the ring.

Winner: Lacey

Theo Fraser: I’d say these were the three faces of SHIMMER right now, so in that regard this is a BIG match. Whilst this is a non-title affair, I fully expect Del Rey to pick up the win to assert her authority over the women’s division. Both Lacey and Daizee Haze have had their shot at the title, and failed, so it’s high time we see a newcomer in the title picture. Sara obliterates her competition and moves on to bigger and better things.

Winner: Sara Del Rey

Samuel Berman: Title’s not on the line so Del Rey doesn’t have to go over. Daizee for kicks.

Winner: Daizee Haze.

411 Staff Picks: Daizee Haze or Lacey (3-3-2)

Tag Team Scramble: Jack Evans & Ruckus vs. Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black vs. Two of Adam Pearce, Brent Albright & BJ Whitmer
Jerome Cusson: The theme of multi-man matches continues as we’re gonna have ourselves a clusterfrick. This should be wild and chaotic, and I predict we’re going to come out of this one with a new number one contender for the tag team titles. If Jacobs loses this match after having beaten Dragon, then they’re nuts.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black

Jarrod Westerfeld: BAD BOOKING ALERT! BAD BOOKING ALERT! Someone slap Gabe and tell him this is a pay-per-view event in which you have the Hangmen 3 AND the Age of the Fall involved, and you need both of them to walk away with victories to look dominant for the silly casual fans watching on pay-per-view – that or one or the other kills a team at the end of the match, but that runs the risk of being too ridiculous and hurts one of the other teams. Who goes over in this? Can I place a random bet on Age of the Fall, as the Hangmen 3, represented by Albright and Whitmer, come up just short? Or would that not make sense unless Whitmer got a victory at the last pay-per-view taping? I’d have to read the spoilers for that.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black

Andy Clark: Since this is a PPV taping I’d imagine they put the Age of the Fall over. The Hangm3n Three probably get DQed to stay strong, and since Steenerico looked great on the last PPV they be the ones to lose to TAOTF in the finals.

Winners: DIFH

Michael Bauer: There is plenty of underlying stories here, including the return of Steen-erico with the Hangman Three involved, leading into their match on Sunday. You also have the Vulture Squad and the Age of the Fall, who have battled each other plenty of times already as well. The edge has to go to Jacobs and Black, because unlike the rest, they get a Tag Team Title shot on Sunday.

Winners: The Age of the Fall

Brad Garoon: I see the Hangm3n and Steen & Generico canceling each other out in this one. Evans and Ruckus obviously have the advantage in this kind of a match but Jacobs and Black are going into a match with the champions at Final Battle so they get the nod.

Winners: The Age of the Fall

Ari Berenstein: The last part of The Age of the Fall streak for tonight as Jacobs and Black take advantage of opportunities afforded by other teams too blindly battling each other.

Winner: Jacobs & Black

Theo Fraser: The Scramble match is really in favor with ROH management at present, and these 8 individuals should provide an exhilarating contest, even if it does boil down to somewhat of a spotfest. Steen & Generico are the ones making a return to ROH competition, and they are seeking revenge against the Hangm3n, who beat them up, brutalized them and took them out of action for a couple of months. Faction warfare may very well play a big part in this, but Steenerico should get the decisive win, bringing them back into the fray in a big way.

Winners: Kevin Steen & El Generico

Samuel Berman: Jacobs & Black should probably win, but Gabe always books matches like this strangely. Eh, Why not…

Winners: Kevin Steen & El Generico

411 Staff Picks: Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black (6-2-0-0)

If Claudio Loses, He Must Leave ROH: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Chris Hero
Jerome Cusson: If it wasn’t for all those big matches coming down the line, I would think Claudio’s standing in this match would be a question mark. With some of their single matches being such a disappointment, I think this thing is going to end once and for all here. While I understand angles in other companies have been done with Hero essentially owning Claudio, ROH has never been one to copy other companies unless there is a darn good reason. This is why Steen and Generico are still together instead of splitting like other companies.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Jarrod Westerfeld: Wouldn’t it be nice if the simple wrestling formula of ‘loser leaves town’ for one member of the match actually turned out to work out with the loser actually leaving the company? Wouldn’t it be nice if this style of match wasn’t so predictable? Wouldn’t it be nice if ROH would pull a swerve here, have Claudio lose, sending him out of ROH, even for just a bit of time to really hype up this feud and really build towards the payoff with Claudio and Sweeny? Shame we may not get that, and instead see the ending we’re all going to be placing our money on – Hero walking away looking like a jobber in ROH for another month.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Andy Clark: I have more faith in ROH to not try and screw things up with wacky booking. There is no stipulation attached to Hero so he loses nothing by losing the match. Claudio wins and this will set up for their next show brilliantly.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Michael Bauer: Does anyone expect Claudio to lose here? I didn’t think so. I’ve been waiting for Claudio vs. Sweeney and now we shall get it.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Brad Garoon: Claudio could lose and then rejoin ROH in some bizarre fashion. I’m thinking the way Rave was fired and then came back with the Embassy. Claudio could lose and then reluctantly rejoin ROH as part of SnS. I don’t want to see Claudio as a heel again though so let’s give him the win.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Ari Berenstein: It’s a PPV taping and so far on PPV Sweeney, Hero and The Kings of Wrestling have had the advantage. Meanwhile fans of the DVD series know that Castagnoli has won every singles match between the two. Yet I see no reason for a wacky swerve in this one.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Theo Fraser: These two had a great outing at Manhattan Mayhem 2, and I expect nothing less here, especially when the stakes are so high. I haven’t heard a single thing about Claudio leaving the company, so he’s got to be going over on this occasion. Plus, everyone’s dying to see Claudio get his hands on Larry Sweeney, and a win for the Most Money Making Man sets that up for the following evening.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Samuel Berman: Having Claudio’s ROH career on the line here is dumb. Drive through, unfortunately.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

411 Staff Picks: Claudio Castagnoli (8-0)

Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima
Jerome Cusson: Okay, now we’re talking. This is very close to usurping Steenerico/Briscoes for rivalry of the year. Two match of the year candidates combined with a great Pay-Per-View match and now it’s time to settle this thing once and for all. This is going to have to be Danielson’s big win here since Morishima won’t be around very much longer. Dragon gets to slay Godzilla here, and the New York crowd will pop huge when he gets this big win.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Jarrod Westerfeld: This must be the blow off – it has to be; and as the blow off it has to result with Danielson finally going over the monster mammoth. Nothing against Giant Funaki, but he can’t walk away from this looking that much more dominant than Danielson after going over him in their previous encounters. If this is anything like their Manhattan Mayhem II match-up then this should be a classic that leaves Meltzer believing that ROH produced its best year to date. Expect this match to be not only the match of the night, but the match that leaves all of 411mania swearing that it should be given the award for 2007’s Match of the Year and 2008’s.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Andy Clark: Their Manhattan Mayhem match was said to be tremendous and their Man Up match was great as well. I would imagine now would be the time for Danielson for get the big win, probably with the small package.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Michael Bauer: You think Gabe like booking these guys in NYC? This will be the fourth meeting between the two and this will be third time the NYC crowd gets to see it live. The rules have now been relaxed, which means it will be wild like the first three, but that is also favors Danielson. Danielson’s full style of wrestling is about wanting relaxed rules, no matter who the opponent is. This match will be brutal, it will be stiff, and it will finally see Danielson pick up a win.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Brad Garoon: This match has been Rockin like Dockin each time out, and I don’t think this will be any different. Considering they’re both in the title match the following night I don’t necessarily think this is the end of the feud, but I do think that this is where Danielson will get his first win over the man who tries to steal his eyeball.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Ari Berenstein: This one has a lot to live up to considering the intensity and quality of their previous matches, especially in NYC. Danielson has yet to win outright and its time for that to happen.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Theo Fraser: This is the big one, anticipated even more so than the World Title encounter later on in the main event. Danielson and Morishima have taken huge issue with each other, and things have gotten pretty out of control on more than one occasion. As such, ROH management have declared that this contest will be fought under relaxed rules, and you can bet your bottom dollar that these guys will take each other to the limit. Morishima is as of yet not scheduled for any 2008 events, so I’ve got to believe Danielson is the one going over here. He’s yet to gain any kind of satisfying win over the Japanese giant, but this seems like the perfect time to change all that. With three outstanding matches against each other, the real question is, can this possibly live up to the hype? My prediction…hell yes!

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Samuel Berman: Everyone’s picked Danielson thus far, so why not go the other way. Not everyone has to get their win back and if Morishima goes over I’ll look like a genius.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima

411 Staff Picks: Bryan Danielson (7-1)

ROH World Tag Team Titles, 2/3 Falls: Jay & Mark Briscoe © vs. Roderick Strong & Rocky Romero
Jerome Cusson: ROH seems to want us to believe that a title change is coming. Being two-out-of-three falls and on Pay-Per-View might lead someone to believe the championship will be going to the Corps. The story is the Briscoes holding the tag belts longer than anyone else, which I believe will happen and they will make it to a full year. They’re not losing this one. It’s just a showcase for them to win two straight falls.

Winner: Jay and Mark Briscoe

Jarrod Westerfeld: It’s a Best 2 of 3 Falls match and the Briscoes still have their streak – I don’t see it ending here especially seeing that we’re building for the Age of the Fall feud with the Briscoes, unless I missed a memo scratching that program. Unless, again, I missed a memo that states that the team of Strong and Romero is ready to rule the tag team scene, I don’t see this going to a third fall, and I don’t see new champions in the foreseeable future.

Winner: Jay & Mark Briscoe

Andy Clark: The Briscoes aren’t going to lose one of these matches until the Age of the Fall gets their title opportunity. Last time I checked the Age of the Fall didn’t merge with the No Remorse Corps so no title change here.

Winners: The Briscoes

Michael Bauer: Eight straight falls… four straight sweeps… that is what Strong and Romero are up against with the Briscoes in Two out of Three Falls matches. The Briscoes have been dominant in these matches as champions and there is no reason to think otherwise for this night.

Winners: The Briscoes (2-0)

Brad Garoon: While it was clever the way ROH booked an entire PPV feud in a short period of time the odds of the NRC winning the belts are slim to none. The Age of the Fall feud against the Briscoes still needs to explode, and until that happens they aren’t dropping the belts.

Winners: The Briscoes

Ari Berenstein: I see no reason for the NRC to pick up a win here, much less a fall.

Winner: The Briscoes to retain the ROH World Tag Team Titles.

Theo Fraser: I don’t think giving the NRC the tag titles here would be beneficial, and I can’t see them being the ones to end the Briscoes’ streak, so it’s another 2 straight for Jay & Mark. Should be a good match though; these guys work well together.

Winner: Jay & Mark Briscoe

Samuel Berman: The NRC isn’t going to win a fall, because this is just here to showcase the Briscoes’ 2/3 Falls dominance for the PPV audience.

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

411 Staff Picks: Jay & Mark Briscoe (8-0)

ROH World Title: Nigel McGuinness © vs. Austin Aries
Jerome Cusson: I feel similarly about this match as I did about the tag team championship match. Aries won the world title at Final Battle. He has a boatload of momentum and will be the big fan favorite in Manhattan. Nigel’s whole title reign is thrown into question because of injuries and his over usage of lariats. However, ROH has given themselves huge opportunity to regain their world title’s prestige once and for all with this weekend. The injury factor is of course going to play a role as a potential Nigel injury could give Aries the biggest chance an ROH wrestler has ever had, a second world championship reign.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Jarrod Westerfeld: One has to wonder how well Nigel’s arm will hold up during his reign, let alone during this match. Either we’re going to see Nigel pull a Cena-ceps, or we’ll see the return of Mr. Hobbles as Aries botches another no-hands springboard Asai Moonsault. This should tear the house down, sending the fans home with a strong title defense and hopes for a good series between the two that may set up a second title reign for Aries, the only man to be so over from the Resilience that you couldn’t afford to have him lose a match in that feud with No Remorse Corps. Let’s mark this as Nigel 1 – Aries 0 out of 3 encounters to unfold in 2008.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Andy Clark: ROH is going to want to make Nigel look strong, but I question this match being a PPV taping, unless the PPV goes with a different main event. I don’t see Aries winning here because ROH isn’t ready to do a second time champion yet.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Michael Bauer: This is tough. For Nigel to escape the weekend as champion, he needs to defeat three former champions (and Chris Hero) in back to back nights. The question here is would Ring of Honor have two title changes on two straight Pay Per Views. I’m not so sure if they would, but then you look at Aries. With everything he dealt with this year and with choosing Ring of Honor over TNA, including his come back happening on Pay Per View, you almost have to think it is possible. Then you have to wonder who be better as champ, Aries or anyone who gets a shot Sunday? Or would Gabe have two title changes in two nights… wait, that won’t happen.

Winner: Austin Aries (NEW CHAMPION!!!!)

Brad Garoon: The bottom line is I don’t see ROH booking title changes on two consecutive Pay Per Views. That’s really the only thing going against Aries here but honestly that’s enough.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Ari Berenstein: This one is the most unpredictable but when it comes down to it I think Nigel’s injury crisis is indeed over and that with all the other contenders lined up for the new years a title retention will occur. Should be a heck of a match though.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness to retain the ROH World Title.

Theo Fraser: It’s a crying shame that McGuinness’ bicep injury has kept him out of action, as I would have loved to have seen more of a build up to this match. Aries is the guy that is frequently touted as the one wrestler who deserves a second run with the ROH title, and I fully agree with that sentiment. And whilst I could easily see a scenario where the title is given to Aries to allow Nigel some ‘proper’ time off to heal from his injury, I just don’t see the Englishman’s title reign ending this prematurely. Aries is a tough guy and rarely taps out, but I see a submission victory for Nigel to put over his new arm submission as a legitimate finish.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Samuel Berman: I’m torn. I really don’t like Nigel as champion, but I’m with Brad on the ‘they won’t move the title on two straight PPVs’ thing. Nigel’s got the big Cage Match with Hero looming, so if he loses the belt, it’ll only be within the context of that feud.

Winner and STILL ROH World Champion: Nigel McGuinness

411 Staff Picks: Nigel McGuinness (7-1)

FINAL BATTLE 2007
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2007 – NEW YORK, NY

Ruckus & Jigsaw vs. Matt Cross & Bobby Fish
Jerome Cusson: ROH has no idea what to do with Matt Cross which is why they’re sticking him in this opening card match. I really enjoyed Cross’ early work, but the problem became he never changed his patterns in the ring. Also, he is a black hole of charisma and personality. Bobby Fish is an okay wrestler when I saw him last time, but he’s not just sort of there. Ruckus is a ball of excitement, and I’ve started to really enjoy Jigsaw’s work. Obvious who’s winning here.

Winner: Jigsaw and Ruckus

Jarrod Westerfeld: Matt Cross and Bobby Fish is a new unit to ROH while Jigsaw and Ruckus are part of an actual stable – why would I want to vote against the established tandem? It should be a fun little match that will probably be featured in the opening card due to Fish being a new face. Expect a lot of flying moves here, and New York to mark out hard for Ruckus.

Winner: Ruckus & Jigsaw

Andy Clark: And the slide for Matt Cross continues. No brainer.

Winners: Ruckus & Jigsaw

Michael Bauer: RoH has been hyping up Cross and Fish’s new team this week on the website, so that might bode well for them in this matchup. Yeah, the Vulture Squad needs the win, but I’ll give that to them later on.

Winners: Matt Cross and Bobby Fish

Brad Garoon: While I think a team of Cross and Fish can be quite good they’re rather makeshift and new, so they’re taking the dive for the more established duo.

Winners: Ruckus & Jigsaw

Ari Berenstein: Cross is being stuck with the ROH enhancement talent…not a good sign. Easy squash for The Vulture Squad. I wish the Brooklyn Street Fight had stuck around instead of this one.

Winner: The Vulture Squad

Theo Fraser: Bobby Fish hasn’t really seen a proper look at ROH competition, last being seen in a squash match against Claudio Castagnoli at Reborn Again. Paired with Matt Cross, Fish has a better chance than ever at impressing ROH officials and racking up a win. Of course, Ruckus and Jigsaw are no slouches and are more experienced when it comes to teaming up with each other, which should ultimately lead to them getting the victory. This could be a very fun contest and would provide a terrific opener for the show.

Winner: Ruckus & Jigsaw

Samuel Berman: Vulture Squad in a fun match.

Winners: Ruckus & Jigsaw

411 Staff Picks: Ruckus & Jigsaw (7-1)

Jack Evans vs. Necro Butcher
Jerome Cusson: Another styles clash. This one has more potential. The bad part for me is I’ve lost a lot of interest in Jack Evans because he hasn’t been around for much of 2007, I don’t really like his character all that much, and none of his matches have really thrilled me. Necro is what he is, a one-dimensional deathmatch wrestler. At least there is a good rivalry developing with these two factions, and I think Jack gets an upset fluky type win.

Winner: Jack Evans

Jarrod Westerfeld: What was originally billed as a Brooklyn Street Fight, has now been downgraded to a regular singles match, probably because they didn’t want to have too excessive a violent send off for the year, seeing as they fit yet another Tables are Legal match – and after the last one they had, we can understand why they’d want to have another for the year. With the Vulture Squad already going over in the other match for the night, it’s safe for Jack to lose this just to build up Necro – unless they want to go the Chris Hero route with him, which would be a shame for him and Hero. Expect this to get tossed out with TNA finish, but seeing they didn’t throw out the Three Way between Evans, Aries and Strong, then we may see Necro claim a cheap victory leading them to a Fight without Honor in their next encounter.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Andy Clark: This could be a very interesting match. As much as I’d like to see Jack pull out the win, I just don’t think he can do it. He’ll bump his all off for Necro though.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Michael Bauer: Oh, so much for later on. Necro Butcher gets his win on Saturday, so jack Evans should pick one up over him on Sunday. So 1-3 ain’t great for the Squad, but it’s better than being winless.

Winner: Jack Evans

Brad Garoon: It’s time for Evans to start being pushed as a strong leader. ROH has done the right thing with Jacobs and now they need to do it with Evans too. The leaders of the factions in faction warfare need to look credible, which I think gives Evans a big advantage over Necro here.

Winner: Jack Evans

Ari Berenstein: This one is going to be more competitive than it seems on paper. Evans might get the upset, but probably Necro will straight KHTFO with a punch.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Theo Fraser: Despite the fact that these two have wildly differing styles, I’m REALLY looking forward to this one. Evans will no doubt bust out his high-flying offense, but try as he might, he just won’t be able to combat the raw brutality of the Necro Butcher. This shouldn’t be a squash match by any stretch of the imagination, but Necro should come away from it looking dominant, giving him his first meaningful singles win since his Age of the Fall debut.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Samuel Berman: Evans is leading his faction, so having him go under the third man in a rival faction seems counterproductive. He’ll still bounce around like a pinball, though.

Winner: Jack Evans

411 Staff Picks: Draw (4-4)

Claudio Castagnoli vs. Larry Sweeney (If Claudio wins on 12/29)
Jerome Cusson: Something smells fishy, and it ain’t Bobby. I really want to say Claudio because he’s the more established wrestler. Sweeney does wrestle in FIP and CHIKARA and is a great staller. Sweeney won’t dazzle you, but he will bring back shades of Bobby Heenan in the ring. I think Hero interferes and it’s a big schmozz.

Winner: No-contest

Jarrod Westerfeld: If they don’t try to swerve us on the predictable match the night before, then how about they have Larry Sweeney upset Claudio, keeping this feud going, leading to Hero redeeming himself and getting some actual big victories over his former team mate, showcasing that he’s just as good as his former tag partner. Come on Gabe, give me something here to care about this feud still going, and give me more reason to care about Sweet ‘n’ Sour Incorporated as a unit because Larry Sweeney isn’t enough for me anymore to buy an entire stable handled by him. Give me something, please!

Winner: Larry Sweeney

Andy Clark: Claudio will make it a clean sweep this weekend by taking out the boss of Sweet ‘n ‘Sour Inc. Sweeney fires Hero after the match for not helping him and for losing the night before.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Michael Bauer: This should be anything but a straight one on one match with no shenanigans. Chris Hero definitely gets involved and allows Larry Sweeney to put on the “upset” in Ring of Honor. Yes, we will all pretend that the never fought anyone else for this one. Second prediction: After the match, Claudio injures Hero to hurt his chances in the main event.

Winner: Sweet N’ Sour

Brad Garoon: I mentioned this in The Cool Kids’ Table but it’s worth repeating here. I think what will happen here is Dempsey and Del Rey will be pushed beyond the breaking point and leave SnS Inc here. The feud between Claudio and Hero has always really been between Claudio and Sweeney, but somewhere down the line Claudio just began to appear so above all this. That said using this as an opportunity to finally get Dempsey over as a foe to Sweeney and Toland instead of their punching bag is probably what’s best. On the other hand they did just print up those t-shirts with everyone’s face on them for SnS Inc., which is a big problem for my prediction.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Ari Berenstein: Sweeney is going to have some contingency plans if it comes down to this. As I’ve said the good guy rarely gets the payback in these sorts of revenge matches.

Winner: Larry Sweeney

Theo Fraser: The issue between Claudio Castagnoli and Sweet N Sour Inc dates back to last year’s Final Battle, so this one has a ton of history to it. This will be the first time Larry Sweeney wrestles in Ring of Honor, so it will be interesting to see if this is the “Sweet n Sour” Larry Sweeney we’ve seen in CHIKARA, or ‘managerial I’m-not-a-wrestler’ Larry Sweeney from ROH. Whatever happens, it’s Final Battle, which means it’s all about creating those feel-good moments. After a year of dirty dealings, Larry Sweeney is in need of a come-uppance, and Claudio looks to be the guy to finally give it to him!

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Samuel Berman: It’s probably time to segue out of this feud, so I guess I’ll say Claudio goes over in one big celebratory moment. Hopefully Bobby Dempsey joins him in embarrassing Sweeney.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

411 Staff Picks: Claudio Castagnoli (4-3-0-1)

Tables are Legal: Kevin Steen, El Generico & Delirious vs. Adam Pearce, Brent Albright & BJ Whitmer
Jerome Cusson: From what I understand, Kevin Steen will be leaving ROH for a good long time after this weekend. I think this is quite sad since he’s been such a positive part of the year 2007 for ROH. I think he goes through multiple tables and gets himself injured. The Hangm3n are beginning to get over ever so slowly, and I think they can really take the next step by thoroughly dominating this match and beating up Delirious once again and maybe going after the mask.

Winner: Adam Pierce, Brent Albright, and B.J. Whitmer

Jarrod Westerfeld: If you sat through the first Tables are Legal match back in February between Albright and Whitmer, then you know you’re in for a fun ride that leads you to wonder why you would ever care for a tables match. This is chaos at its best, and expect the tough Steen and Generico to try and demonstrate that Ladder War was just the tip of the iceberg for them, and more chaos and violence is ready to come where ever they go. I would give this to the random team of Steen, Generico & Delirious but the Hangmen 3 still have the horned troll, Hagadorn, ready to give them a boost – and if they want to sell them as a unit they’d better start using Hagadorn as an actual accessory to help them get some bigger wins.

Winner: Adam Pearce, Brent Albright & BJ Whitmer

Andy Clark: This should be a great brawl. The face team is a very good combo and I think they should get a win in this feud here. They need to show that they can kick just as much ass as the Hangm3n Three, especially Delirious. It’s time to get violent.

Winners: Delirious, Kevin Steen, & El Generico

Michael Bauer: Tables are Legal?? Hell man, give me the damn chairs as well, because you know it will happen. This could be a nice blowoff match, or it could not, considering that Steen and Generico have not had a long feud with the Hangmen. The Hangmen though have dominated this feud so far, so it’s about damn time Steen-erico gets a victory, even with the wild card in Shane at ringside. Also to note, Delirious apparently has gone psycho for this match so his “coming out” party will not be ruined.

Winners: Steen, Generico, Delirious

Brad Garoon: Why have a Tables are Legal match when tables are used without reprimand in many matches. ROH referees see foreign objects used all the time (especially tables) and almost never disqualify anyone. That said with Steen going on sabbatical after this weekend I see no reason for his team to get a win here, even if it is helmed by Delirious.

Winners: The Hangm3n

Ari Berenstein: As long as it doesn’t take forever to set up the tables we’re in for a heck of a hardcore brawl. I expect massive fan reaction because NYC loves a fight.

Winner: Steen, Generico & Delirious

Theo Fraser: ROH management seem to be pushing heavily the idea that Albright and Whitmer have the experience in Tables matches after competing against each other in a wild Tables Are Legal match back on February 16th at FYF: NYC. I think they’ll run with that here, and this will be the first step in the move towards making the Hangm3n a real threat to the rest of the roster.

Winner: Adam Pearce, Brent Albright & BJ Whitmer

Samuel Berman: Steen’s reportedly on his way out for a bit, so having him win twice in one weekend would be counterproductive.

Winners: Adam Pearce, Brent Albright & BJ Whitmer

411 Staff Picks: Adam Pearce, Brent Albright & BJ Whitmer (5-3)

FIP World Heavyweight Title: Roderick Strong © vs. Erick Stevens
Jerome Cusson: Big props to Strong for holding the FIP title for the entire year. Yes, he’s going to go over Erick Stevens, but this could be a whole lot of fun based on their last singles match, which took place at the Pay-Per-View. Strong has done a fine job with the FIP title, particularly down in Florida where he’s had some great matches still as a babyface. His efforts defending in ROH haven’t been so successful, but this will be an improvement.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Jarrod Westerfeld: After their encounter at Driven and seeing how well these two work together, this should be a fun power match that goes to show the WWE that you can have a big man match that isn’t slowed down to the point that it looks like two retired boy scout’s fucking in jello. Strong has had a great run with the FIP World Heavyweight title and it’s about time he passes on the strap and who better a candidate then the ever growing fan favorite in Erick “Choo Choo” Stevens? The big man that everyone has grown to love and admire as a solid worker?

Winner: Erick Stevens (New FIP World Heavyweight Champion)

Andy Clark: These two had a fun match at Man Up and I see that paying off here. Stevens should have won the match at Man Up but he’ll make up for it by ending Strong’s one year FIP reign.

Winner: Erick Stevens (New FIP Champion)

Michael Bauer: Roderick Strong has held that title for ages and done a whole lot of nothing with it. Erick Stevens winning the belt, combined with Aries being RoH Champion could make for some very interesting booking into January when they finally get the one on one match with each other.

Winner: Erick Stevens

Brad Garoon: With FIP on hiatus this would be the most likely time to see a title change in ROH. On the other hand I think it would be better for FIP to return with the same champion they had when they left. Stevens winning the FIP belt would be a big moment for the company, so I hope they let in happen in front of the Florida fans.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Ari Berenstein: Everyone, loud and clear. THE FIP WORLD TITLE WILL NOT CHANGE HANDS IN ROH! Stevens is going to make waves in ’08 but he’ll do the J-O-B here first.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Theo Fraser: These two had a terrific match in FIP, and more recently in ROH as part of the Resilience-NRC feud at Man Up. As such, expectations are naturally high for this encounter, as fans know what these men are capable of when paired against each other. Stevens has a lot to prove, hoping to get the big win that his ‘mentor’ Austin Aries couldn’t achieve. I’d love to see Erick get the win over Strong at some point, but I’m firmly behind the idea that the FIP title should only switch hands in Florida, as a reward to all the FIP faithful. Strong eeks out the win, but Stevens looks great in the process, and a rematch isn’t far down the line.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Samuel Berman: See, when I started this I thought Stevens would be a big, wacky, out-of-nowhere pick, but now that three other people have picked him to go over, it’s way less awesome to do it here. Strong in a great match.

Winner and STILL FIP World Heavyweight Champion: Roderick Strong

411 Staff Picks: Roderick Strong (5-3)

Stipulation to be Determined: Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black
Jerome Cusson: I’ll say the stipulation is some sort of street fight so these guys can brawl all over the place. Once again, I’ll say the Briscoes go over and put this feud to bed once and for all so they can move on to something else. And this will also seal Age of the Fall’s standing in the company as just another group, something that ROH should and could have done a much better job with.

Winners: Jay and Mark Briscoe

Jarrod Westerfeld: I expect this to be a simple Fight without Honor, just to avoid going too over the top as a far-well to the year, seeing as they already have the Tables are Legal match and that’s certainly going to be violent. I expect this to be the start of the end of the Briscoes title reign as Jacobs and Black establish themselves as the dominant tandem of ROH, not because they’re more athletic or better performers but because they’re edgy and willing to gamble it all away for what they believe. They, like Necro, are willing to sacrifice everything – their health, their minds, their bodies and souls – to accomplish what they’ve set out for, and their goal, right now, seems to be centered around making a true example out of the Briscoes. Shame this isn’t on pay-per-view instead.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black

Andy Clark: The stip will probably be a Street Fight or some variation thereof, I just hope ROH doesn’t decide to main event the show with this. Although it would make sense for the AOTF to get the win here to continue to build them, I think the Briscoes get the surprise win to throw more fuel on the fire. I could potentially see a situation where one of the Age of the Fall members gets tied upside down a la Man Up.

Winners: The Briscoes

Michael Bauer: A stipulation in this match? What’s wrong with just saying it’s going to be a Falls Count Anywhere Brawl? Because no matter what the rules are, that is what it will end up being. And as a shocker to some, The Briscoes will finally lose in a Tag Team Title match. Look, you don’t have a guy pin Bryan Danielson to just have him doing nothing and Jimmy Jacobs losing here is just that.

Winners: The Age of the Fall

Brad Garoon: All stipulations in ROH generally boil down to the same No Disqualification setting, so I’ll just guess it’ll be a No DQ match. I really hope that ROH keeps from changing a title over at Final Battle, but I don’t know that this will be for the titles anyway. If it is it would be especially beneficial for them to keep the titles on the Briscoes to add to the suspicion that the World title will change hands in the main event. If the titles aren’t on the line then the Age of the Fall get the win, for sure.

Winners: The Age of the Fall

Ari Berenstein: This is going to be a No-DQ match for the ROH World Tag Team Titles. The Age of the Fall will finally win against The Briscoes and take what they have been seeking for months on end…the power to effect change in ROH.

Winner: The Age of the Fall to win the ROH World Tag Team Titles.

Theo Fraser: STIPULATION – I’m gonna go crazy here and pick a ‘Barbed Wire Wrapped Fists’ match. Something to that extent, at least. There have been more than a few teases of barbed wire, what with the kidnapping of Mark Briscoe by the AotF, bringing him back out to ringside completely enveloped in the stuff, as well as Mark asking for barbed wire on his Christmas wishlist that appeared on rohwrestling.com. I don’t think ROH would go for another ‘War of the Wire’ No-roped barbed wire match just yet, but Barbed Wire Wrapped Fists sounds about right to me. The No-DQ nature of the match would allow barbed-wire specialist Necro Butcher to get involved and really make life hell for the Briscoes. This feud is set to continue for a little while longer, so the heels walk away the victors this time.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black

Samuel Berman: If the Briscoes retain against the NRC the belts will be on the line here, so that’s the stipulation. ROH likes to move titles at Final Battle, so that’s clearly a factor. Well, they say fortune favors the foolish…

Winners and NEW ROH World Tag Team Champions: Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black

411 Staff Picks: Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black (6-2)

ROH World Title, Four Way Elimination: McGuinness/Aries 12/29 Winner © vs. Chris Hero vs. Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima
Jerome Cusson: I think Morishima goes first simply because he really needs to go so the other three can continue their storyline. Personally, I thought Dragon was going to wrestle Nigel at the last Pay-Per-View, but with a NOAH tour upcoming and conflicting schedules, I think Nigel is going to defeat Hero and Dragon. Maybe the crowd will still despise him, but I think this will be a huge step for Nigel’s world title reign.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Jarrod Westerfeld: Why should I care that Chris Hero is in this match? Claudio beats him the night before and Hero gets the reward of being the first eliminated in this match while Claudio gets a match with Sweeney? That’s almost like putting Damian Demento in the title picture after losing a match to Undertaker, while Taker has to feud with Giant Gonzalez! Anyway, this should be a fun way to end the year as Nigel, Bryan and Morishima cultivate a year’s long feud and a year full of tension break down into the match we all expected to air on pay-per-view at some point. The treat will be to see who Nigel gets to eliminate, if he gets involved in the second fall of the match, at all. I’d place down good money for a Nigel/Morishima finish, just because Bryan already gets his day of victory over Giant Funaki the night before.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Andy Clark: I know most will pick Nigel here, but I really like Hero. Think back to his Survival of the Fittest win where he sneakily eliminated everyone. Danielson is still going to be beaten up from the night before with Morishima, so he’ll be easy pickings. Hero can steal the pin on Morishima after a lariat from Nigel. Then when it comes down to Hero and Nigel Hero takes advantage of Nigel’s injuries and comes away with the belt, mere hours after being fired by Sweet ‘n Sour Inc. This then leads to a series of events where Sweeney begs Hero to come back, now that he’s a World Champion. This also allows the Hero-Claudio feud to be over the World Title now, and if they wanted to, they could even have Claudio end up with Sweeney to challenge Hero. There are many possibilities with Hero as champion and they all translate well to PPV.

Winner: Chris Hero (NEW ROH Champion)

Michael Bauer: Ok, so I have Aries in this match, which means I’m opening the chances of back to back title switches. Morishima is not winning the title back, that’s first and foremost. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if somehow he gets himself DQed while dealing with Bryan Danielson. Chris Hero, yeah he’s getting up there, but I just can’t see his chasing the title ending just yet. Besides, with all of the other events this weekend, he will still have his own unfinished business. Which leaves us Danielson vs. Aries in what should be a huge battle. In the end, having one two time champion will be enough for this weekend.

Winner: Austin Aries

Brad Garoon: My guess is that Morishima and Danielson cancel each other out here and the match comes down to a preview of the Dayton cage match. Hero could win the belt here and go into the cage match as champion but I doubt it. I think Hero will put on a good show and get a near-win so that there’s a reason to have the cage match, but I believe Nigel is escaping 2007 as champion.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Ari Berenstein: Hero is a threat to win here and shock the world and Danielson winning would be sweet symmetry in the wrestling world given his loss at Final Battle 2006. However I still see Nigel walking away from this one having retained the title. Morishima pins Danielson. Nigel taps out Hero and then Nigel hits the Jawbreaker one more time on Morishima for the win.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness to retain the ROH World Title.

Theo Fraser: The last time we saw a Four Way Elimination match this big was back in 2005 at Redemption, when CM Punk lost the ROH World Title to James Gibson. This has the potential to be just as memorable. Assuming Nigel walks into the match as champion, we’ve instantly got a bucketload of intense rivalries simmering away in one ring. McGuinness has huge (kayfabe) heat with all three men; with Hero dating back to Supercard of Honor II (when Nigel Jawbreaker Lariated Johnny Swinger, who was appearing with Hero at the time), with Danielson since Dragon stole Nigel’s moment in the limelight after winning the World Title, and with Morishima after a series of hard-fought matches which culminated in Nigel’s eventual World Title win. Of course, you also have the volatile situation between Danielson and Morishima to bear in mind, making this one of the most unpredictable Four Way matches in ROH history. A DQ elimination has been teased for either Danielson or Morishima (or possibly both), and I see that being utilized early on, especially as I see a Nigel win over Danielson saved for a final one-on-one encounter at a later dare. Ultimately, it should boil down to McGuinness and Hero (with Sweeney out of the picture thanks to his earlier loss to Claudio), where Hero will target the bicep injury, only to get cocky, allowing Nigel to take control and pick up the 1, 2, 3. Nigel’s title reign gets off to a *proper* start, and he silences the critics with two impressive straight victories.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Samuel Berman: Ok, I’ll run through my theory quickly because I think it’s a good one (though they’ll NEVER do it). In the original Four Way Elimination match for the ROH World Title, the rule was that if the match went to a time limit draw (as with all ROH World Title defenses, the limit remains one-hour), that even if the champion had been eliminated the belt doesn’t change hands. I think a great story would be for Hero to pin Nigel cleanly, but have some combination of Hero, Danielson, and Morishima fight up to the time limit, keeping the belt with McGuinness. People are always pushing for bookers to come up with more creative ways to promote rematches, well there’s one right there. For the record, I’m picking Hero to pin Nigel, Danielson to KO Morishima, and Hero and Danielson to go to the draw.

Winner: Time Limit Draw