411 ROH Roundtable Preview: Boston & Edison – 1/11 & 1/12

Hello loyal readers and welcome to this week’s edition of the 411 Ring of Honor Roundtable Preview. This weekend will feature ROH’s first shows of the new year, with stacked cards lined up for the Boston and Edison crowds. Though ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness is currently touring Japan on tour with Pro Wrestling NOAH, this weekend’s shows will not go by without title defenses, as Erick Stevens will defend his newly won FIP World Heavyweight Title against a pair of world-class challengers. Not to be outdone, new ROH World Tag Team Champions Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black will put their championships on the line in an Ultimate Endurance match, a contest sure to be a highlight of Friday’s event. And as if that weren’t enough, “Lightning” Mike Quackenbush will make his return to Ring of Honor competition on Saturday, a show that will finish with an Anything Goes Brawl between the Age of the Fall and the Briscoe Brothers. Before we get to our predictions, let’s get a look at this week’s contributing 411 writers:

Jarrod Westerfeld, of Your Viral Dose of Reality,

Jerome Cusson, Friends and South Park Reviewer,

Ari Berenstein, of Column of Honor,

Bayani Domingo, of Truth B Told,

Michael Bauer, of the ECW Recap,

Chris Lansdell, of The Way I C It,

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

Now that you’ve been introduced to the staff, here is our preview of this weekend’s shows. Cards are current as of Wednesday, 1/9.

[Editor’s Note: Due to late-breaking injury news regarding Chris Hero, the writers’ previews of his scheduled matchup against Bryan Danielson have been omitted from this column. Also, due to scheduling, no preview will be done for Danielson’s new match, a first time ever meeting with Brent Albright.]

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2008 – BOSTON, MA

Daizee Haze vs. Alexa Thatcher
Jarrod Westerfeld: And we’re back from the holiday season and it looks as if ROH is finally going to address one of their biggest issues – a women’s division. We now have a new female face in the mix, and while this isn’t as big a deal as Amazing Kong’s debut in ROH, this is the step in the right direction – shame it’s against Daizee Haze who’ll be pressing forth with a lot of steam and momentum to take down my wife, Sara Del Rey, and her SHIMMER Championship. I don’t see Alexa walking away with a victory over the number one contender to the championship, unless something whacky is done – and hopefully Dutch Sapolsky won’t be in that house to do anything whacky.

Winner: Daizee Haze

Jerome Cusson: Well, at least we’re involving other women of honor. Alexa Thatcher is quite cute, but I’m not sure about her wrestling ability. I think we’ll get a big indication in this singles match as opposed to the tag match last year from the “Fifth Year Festival.” I’ve never been all that impressed with Daizee in the ring so I’m not expecting much in what should hopefully be a short match.

Winner: Daizee Haze

Ari Berenstein: ROH is starting once again to use more women wrestlers besides their top three of Haze, Del Rey and Lacey. Alexa’s core region is the Northeast and New England, so booking her here makes sense. She has a few years under her belt now, but last time she was in ROH still looked rather green. I think Haze wins this one in a squash type match.

Winner: Daizee Haze

Bayani Domingo: No idea who Thatcher is so I’ll go with the skinny chick I recognize. By the way on a personal note, judging by those pics from Final Battle it looks like Daizee finally had a cheeseburger because she’s starting to fill out nicely.

Winner: Daizee Haze

Michael Bauer: I know Daizee, no clue who Alexa is. Gabe tends to book new people to lose in their debut, so I’ll stick with it.

Winner: Daizee Haze

Chris Lansdell: Yay, women’s filler match to prevent anyone from being the opener! Thatcher is in only her second appearance, I think, whereas Haze is the next contender to the SHIMMER title and is over. Hmmm, tough choice.

Winner: Daizee Haze

Samuel Berman: Daizee. Drive Through.

Winner: Daizee Haze

411 Staff Picks: Daizee Haze (7-0)

Ruckus vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Jarrod Westerfeld: And we start to further see how limited the ROH roster has become, that we’re now seeing a random fight between a main event attraction, Claudio, taking on Vulture Squad member who’s too hot to start losing matches. At least if Ruckus loses here he loses nothing other than the image of being a main eventer in the company any time soon, so this does make sense – I just wish they’d just go with Claudio taking on Tank Toland to set-up for Puder running in, and avoiding interacting with the Vulture Squad.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Jerome Cusson: Claudio is a main eventer kind of slumming it here against someone who really hasn’t had a real singles test to this point yet. I haven’t seen very much of Ruckus, but his high-flying impresses a lot of people. The problem is there are a lot of high flyers in ROH right now, and it’s going to be hard for Ruckus to stand out. Castagnoli tends to have very good matches with cruiserweights and high flyers so this should be a good match.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Ari Berenstein: It looks like ROH is also once again going back to booking some matches more on the basis of “athletic competition” than any real storyline purpose. This match would be one of those situations, but hey I’m liking that because it’s going to allow fans to see new combinations of wrestlers on ROH shows and it will keep things fresh and interesting. Both men will be over here and I think Ruckus flying around while Claudio tries to stop him is a good paradigm.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Bayani Domingo: Ruckus really needs a win here doesn’t he? Too bad he’s facing the “Most Money Making Man” and someone I have billed as one of the top choices to win the title in ’08.

Winner: Double C

Michael Bauer: Ruckus is still the #2 man in a stable, no matter how you look at it. Claudio needs a bigger push so this match feels like a no brainer. It’s a clash of styles at the very least, which might or might not work.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Chris Lansdell: Another easy one to pick. Ruckus will twist, he will turn, he will pop the crowd, and he will lose. Claudio can’t be far from a title shot, and for him to lose here would make no sense. This isn’t TNA or WWE, most of their booking actually does make sense.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Samuel Berman: Ruckus is a lot better than some people give him credit for, but he’s just not on Claudio’s level, both in terms of the booking and in the ring. This one will surprise and really impress, but Claudio’s going over.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

411 Staff Picks: Claudio Castagnoli (7-0)

Roderick Strong vs. El Generico
Jarrod Westerfeld: Normally I’m betting my house, the farm, a bridge in Ottawa and everything my video editing Penguin owns – which is probably just a stack of nudie mags – on Strong walking away with the victory, but I’ve got a feeling this is going to set up some sort of whacky collision course between No Remorse Corps, Steenerico and the Hangm3n Three. I’m thinking we’ve got some more whacky “Stable Warfare” feuds about to take place here. To make this completely whacky, I think Generico may need to walk out victories, despite being mostly dominated by the ever strong (pun intended) Strong.

Winner: El Generico

Jerome Cusson: Generico, primarily in tag matches through most of 2007, is going to be wrestling quite a number of singles matches this match and this will be his first. Strong will hopefully get back to having really strong matches and using his assortment of backbreakers. Since Generico makes such a good underdog, this really is his chance to show how good he can be.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Ari Berenstein: This one will be very active and very back and forth in terms of momentum. Expect a chop vs. big boot battle at some point. Ultimately Strong needs to be rebuilt a bit more than Generico at this point, so let’s give him the win, but it will be a close one.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Bayani Domingo: If Strong needed a win more since the NRC started I can’t remember when it was. Having just lost the FIP title and now being placed firmly at the back of the line in terms of stable importance, Strong needs a big win here and I think he’ll get it. Too bad he’ll be doing it at the expense of MY pick as the ’07 Wrestler of the Year, El Generico.

Winner: “Rowdy” Roddy Strong

Michael Bauer: Strong definitely needs to rebound after going 0-2 in title matches over Final Battle weekend. Generico might just be the answer to get over the hump, but it won’t be easy.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Chris Lansdell: Strong seems to be at his best against smaller, faster opponents, so this could be good. He gets to throw them around and give the illusion of being a powerhouse, and his opponent gets to kick out from numerous nasty beatings. That said, Generico is kind of going nowhere until Age of the Fall finish with the Briscoes, and Strong needs to rebound from his Final Battle loss. Another tough one to pick…

Winner: Roderick Strong

Samuel Berman: I’d like to go with Generico, but I see some other upsets happening during the weekend and he’s over enough to survive the loss. Roderick wins a close one.

Winner: Roderick Strong

411 Staff Picks: Roderick Strong (6-1)

Kevin Steen vs. Necro Butcher
Jarrod Westerfeld: I hate having to pick guys from the same faction winning on the same night, but I think this’ll be an instance where Necro can lose and still walk away not losing a pound of heat his way. Besides, Steen is going to need some momentum for his match against Albright the very next night, which I’m totally marking out for – I already want the Edison show on DVD to see Steen and Albright tear the house down, big man style.

Winner: Kevin Steen

Jerome Cusson: I’m sure a lot of people are looking forward to this a lot, but I’ve gone on record many times and made my hatred for Necro clear. One can only hope Steen wins what will likely be yet another street fight since that’s the only match Necro knows how to wrestle and he can move onto something better.

Winner: Kevin Steen

Ari Berenstein: Another match, like Strong vs. Generico, that was well done in PWG back in 2008. I think these men know what’s expected of them in a match against the other and that is stiff fighting and a never back down approach. I see Kevin Steen winning this one but The Age of the Fall interrupting the post match festivities.

Winner: Kevin Steen

Bayani Domingo: Steen-Erico really are one of the few face tag teams capable of taking out the AoTF unless RoH wants to go back to the well with the Briscoes. If that holds up then they need a win here and Necro is the one who can most afford to take the pin and not be affected one bit. People just love seeing that guy simply go out and a guy in the face.

Winner: Kevin Steen

Michael Bauer: Kevin Steen is in the middle of battling the Hangman Three and he gets a match with the Necro. I still think Necro needs momentum heading into a brawl the next night, so I’ll go the opposite of most people. Plus, this could soften up Steen for Albright in the next night, leading to his supposed time off.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Chris Lansdell: Once Age of the Fall come out of the Briscoes feud with the belts, I feel Steenerico is next for them. With that in mind, and with Generico busy on the weekend, Steen and Necro have to make us care about the feud. Bearing in mind that Steenerico will not be facing Necro for the titles, they can afford to have Steen go over here and suffer post-match shenanigans to heat up the rivalry.

Winner: Kevin Steen

Samuel Berman: If they let it all hang out, this could be a lot like Necro Butcher’s match with Super Dragon at the 2006 Battle of Los Angeles. If they don’t, it’ll just be another brawl. Here’s hoping for the former. Oh, and wasn’t Kevin Steen taking an extended break from wrestling?

Winner: Kevin Steen

411 Staff Picks: Kevin Steen (6-1)

FIP World Heavyweight Title: Erick Stevens © vs. Austin Aries
Jarrod Westerfeld: It seems like a night of faces here – maybe I’m just not up to picking some heels at the moment, but then again, I’ve seen whacky things in the ROH product as of late, why would I try and change up my senses to match my picks with what would make more logical sense? Anyway, let’s see how long these two go before Erick squeaks out a victory here, leading to Aries fully turning heel-ish, and attacks Erick after the match, screaming for a rematch with Danielson or Nigel, whichever he feels was the one match he should’ve won before the end of 2007.

Winner: Erick Stevens (Retains FIP World Championship)

Jerome Cusson: Erick Stevens is getting the big push now based on this weekend. Originally, I think people thought Stevens would be the one to go heel over his bitterness at The Resilience being disbanded. Unfortunately, ROH seems prepared to turn one of their most popular and loyal wrestlers heel. We’ll see how that plays. The words “not at all” come to mind. To the match. Stevens is going to get a big win here since Aries having the FIP title makes no sense. Honestly, Stevens having the belt will actually do more for the belt and himself since he’s a fresh face and he’s got room to improve. With Strong, he was already established and it felt like him defending the FIP title in ROH was a little beneath him.

Winner and still FIP champion: Erick Stevens

Ari Berenstein: Stevens is on a hot streak, Aries is on a losing streak. I think Stevens makes it to FIP’s restart show in February as its champion, so a clean win here will be what’s best to keep him legitimate. It also will help Aries new “no handshake” storyline twist, or maybe even come to a head here and be the start of a new feud for Aries, against his former Resilience partner. Stevens did succeed in becoming champion after the Resilience split apart, while Aries came just short. That could be frustration enough to make him snap in a fit of jealousy.

Winner: Erick Stevens to retain the FIP title.

Bayani Domingo: I wish this was more of a “hate” feud than a “respect” feud because Stevens has a real reason to be legitimately pissed off at Aries after dumping him and Cross to go after his own personal glory. Stevens is starting to get over with the crowd and could be one of new generation of stars RoH makes in the next year. While Aries is still one of the top 3 or 4 guys in the company right now I think Stevens will find a way to win. Clean or otherwise.

Winner: “Choo Choo” Erick Stevens

Michael Bauer: Erick Stevens has been on a freaking tear, even with his loss to Davey on Pay Per View. This match could very easily work towards building Aries’ new persona, kinda like we saw last year from BJ Whitmer. Still, the title can’t change hands here and Stevens will get a clean win over his former mentor and partner.

Winner: Erick Stevens

Chris Lansdell: As I mentioned in Buy or Sell, the FIP faithful already have their backs up about a title change taking place on an RoH show. Even in the WWE, Raw’s title doesn’t change hands on Smackdown! or vice versa. For the title to change TWICE in a two-week span with FIP crowds not getting to see either is HIGHLY unlikely. Far more likely that this match is used to legitimize Stevens as a title holder and main eventer in both FIP and RoH. It should be good stuff, with the whole mentor-student thing to play off.

Winner, and still FIP World Heavyweight Champion: Erick Stevens

Samuel Berman: They’re not moving the FIP belt again before the relaunch, so Stevens’ defenses during this weekend are all about HOW he retains, and not WHETHER he retains. I say he gets a close win here and a decisive win in a less likely scenario the next night.

Winner and STILL FIP World Heavyweight Champion: Erick Stevens

411 Staff Picks: Erick Stevens (7-0)

ROH World Tag Team Titles, Ultimate Endurance: Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black © vs. Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Jack Evans & Jigsaw vs. Brent Albright & BJ Whitmer
Jarrod Westerfeld: Well, here’s to saying goodbye to Evans and Jigsaw early in this one, and then the Briscoes dropping Albright and Whitmer on the second fall, and then the current ROH Tag Team Champions will come out victorious over the Briscoes – though I’d rather see the Briscoes the first eliminated, adding to their hatred of the Age of the Fall, who steal up the opportunity to knock them out early, adding further heat on their feud, leading to a bigger blow-off match between the two down the road, possibly around March (though I’d prefer a lengthy title reign for the Age of the Fall).

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black (Retains ROH World Tag Team Championships)

Jerome Cusson: I think ROH wants us to believe this is going to be an epic match. The problem is Age of the Fall is going to win, and they’re really putting three challengers in a bad spot. Personally, I would have rather seen a three team scramble and have the belts be defended against someone else. I think the Briscoes get eliminated first because that will be “shocking.” Hangman Three go next, and we’re left with The Vulture Squad against The Age of the Fall in a feud that I’m not exactly enthusiastic about. Of course we all know who’s winning since they’re not losing their first title defense.

Winner and still tag team champions: Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black

Ari Berenstein: Age of the Fall has sent out a memo that ROH is “stacking the deck” against them already by putting them in this match on their first defense. Hey, you want to be champions then you have to act like champions. That said I think AOTF is merely setting up a smoke screen and has already formulated a plan to make sure they retain the belt. It’s probably the old divide and conquer scenario–get the other factions to fight each other, and then pick up the scraps.

Winner: The Age of the Fall to retain the titles, last eliminating Evans and Jigsaw

Bayani Domingo: Fancy matches like this are best saved for a non-title match. This should be interesting but who really believes the AoTF are losing the title this early?

Winner: Panic! at the Necro

Michael Bauer: Anybody else think the titles are switching hands? LIARS! There is no way The Age of the Fall drops the titles in a match like this, especially with the hell that is ready to explode the next night. If I had to choose elimination order, I go with Vulture Squad, Hangman Three, and then The Briscoes. And Bayani, Necro’s not involved, he can’t panic!

Winners: The Age of the Fall

Chris Lansdell: On a surprisingly mediocre card this is the only other match that catches my eye. Aside from Evans and Jigsaw, who do nothing for me and are only in here to fly around and pop the crowd, everyone in this match can go. The Scramble rules portion will be insanely fast, and I expect Albright and Whitmer to stay out of it for a while until they come in, kill Jigsaw with half-nelson suplex/Adrenaline Spike combo, and eliminate him. What happens after that is anyone’s guess. Considering they hot-shotted the tag belts last year, I can’t see it happening again, so expect the champs to retain.

Winners, and STILL RoH World Tag Team Champions: Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black

Samuel Berman: I’d bet the bank on the titles not moving here. Fun fact: the first defense in the Briscoes’ most recent reign was also an Ultimate Endurance match. Jacobs & Black pick up all three eliminations here, last pinning the Briscoes.

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

411 Staff Picks: Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black (7-0)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2008 – EDISON, NJ

BJ Whitmer & Shane Hagadorn vs. Eddie Edwards & Bobby Fish
Jarrod Westerfeld: Welcome the random team of Eddie Edwards and Bobby Fish – why Fish isn’t teamed up with Cross after an impressive night at Final Battle 2007, is beyond me, but let’s see how well Fish demonstrates he belongs with the ROH roster. Eddie already impressed me before and is coming along nicely, but this is BJ Whitmer here, and he’s being built up as a dominating force for the Hangm3n Three, so it’s time to see Bart Gunn’s reincarnated, uncharismatic career put the boots to Edwards and Fish in a nice little open.

Winner: BJ Whitmer & Shane Hagadorn

Jerome Cusson: One can only hope this isn’t the opener because if so, this has bad idea written all over it. Obviously Whitmer and Hagadorn will win in a borderline squash. The one thing I have to question is why Edwards keeps getting booked. If this company is all about the wins and losses, well why is Edwards still getting chances? By my count he’s won one match, and that wasn’t even a singles bout.

Winner: B.J. Whitmer and Shane Hagadorn

Ari Berenstein: What happened to the Beard Brothers? Edwards and Fish together won’t do, you’ve got to make it Cross & Fish! Well, with that said even Shane Hagadorn will get his day here as I see this being a competitive squash match for the Hangm3n.

Winner: BJ Whitmer & Shane Hagadorn

Bayani Domingo: So Cross and Fish aren’t a team anymore?

Winner: 3 and a ½ Hangmen

Michael Bauer: What the hell type of match is this? No offense, but why book a match where it is possible that Shane Hagadorn wins? Ugh, I just shivered.

Winner: Whitmer and his bitch

Chris Lansdell: Let me get this straight. They try and convince us Bobby Fish and Matt Cross are a team, and then they throw Eddie Edwards in there? And HAGADORN??? This feels so random. I don’t see how Edwards and Fish can possibly go over here.

Winners: Whitmer and Hagadorn

Samuel Berman: Remember when a jobber team went over Chris Hero last year. That was crap. Whitmer’s not on his losing streak anymore, so he goes over here.

Winners: BJ Whitmer & Shane Hagadorn

411 Staff Picks: BJ Whitmer & Shane Hagadorn (7-0)

Mike Quackenbush, Delirious & El Generico vs. Sal Rinauro, Jason Blade & Kenny King
Jarrod Westerfeld: It’s Team CHIKARA versus the Young, Rich and Ready – almost. Well, nothing can be expected out of King – that or I just really don’t care for the former jobber of TNA – and Jason Blade’s got nothing on Generico, and a hot Delirious. Quackenbush will easily walk away looking the most talented here, and will be a nice welcome for him to the fulltime roster of ROH, so long as they don’t interfere with his CHIKARA dates.

Winner: Mike Quackenbush, Delirious & El Generico

Jerome Cusson: Mike Quackenbush has a chance to pick up his second victory here, and I fully expect him to do. The Y.R.R really don’t do anything for me in FIP nor did they impress me back in September. Jason Blade and Sal Rinauro have been given multiple chances as well and not really gotten over. Hell, Rinauro by himself almost ruined the tag team titles and was the final nail in the coffin of The Embassy.

Winner: Mike Quackenbush, Delirious, and El Generico

Ari Berenstein: I am VERY happy to see Quack has decided to take bookings in ROH again, even if its in tags and six mans where he can take an active but not overly demanding role in the match. I think the face team is set for a super fun combination of tag moves and will dominate the YRR here. This is a “feel good” match for the fans with three over and entertaining good guys against lower card heels who can lose and it won’t hurt them much at all.

Winner: El Generiquackenirious

Bayani Domingo: Um….seriously? Aren’t the YRR a bunch of bland over-hyped mid-carders in FIP? Now this is why I don’t like the arrangement between the companies, because we end up with more Blade and King on DVDs than should be legally allowed.

Winner: El Quacklirious

Michael Bauer: Weirdest team ever vs. the YRR from Full Impact Pro. One team has never shown up, so that means…

Winners: El Quacken-BLAH!

Chris Lansdell: Sal Rinauro is still alive? This seems to be the continuation of FIP guys “invading” RoH for random tag matches. Could we be seeing an invasion or merger storyline, especially with RoH running Orlando in March? Possibly. In the mean time, you have 3 uber-over guys, one of whom at least is upper midcard, against 3 jobbers. Delirious will get the fall, which is a shame because I’d like to see Quack get a pinfall.

Winners: OleQuackBah!

Samuel Berman: The YRR don’t really do much for me, but I absolutely love all three guys on the face side here. If the heels go over here, I’ll probably end up setting something on fire.

Winners: Mike Quackenbush, Delirious & El Generico

411 Staff Picks: Mike Quackenbush, Delirious & El Generico (7-0)

Jigsaw vs. Roderick Strong
Jarrod Westerfeld: This should be the furthering of this feud, but I can already see it moving No Remorse Corps over to face off with Steenerico, so this’ll be kind of a blow off before the actual blow-off. Jigsaw will put up a good enough showing here, but Strong will simply dominate, and possibly even cut a small promo about wanting another shot at Stevens for his FIP World Championship.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Jerome Cusson: Jigsaw is a good athlete who deserves a bigger push. Roderick Strong seemed to coast through most of 2007. None of his singles matches were all that impressive, but they weren’t really bad either. One can only hope a new year will equal new motivation for one Roderick Strong because he showed a lot at the end of 2005 and in 2006. That being said, Strong has a title shot coming up and needs momentum.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Ari Berenstein: It’s another one of those “third man vs. leader” combinations of the faction warfare saga and in these cases the leader has won almost all the time.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Bayani Domingo: Poor Jigsaw, I hope he borrows D’Lo Brown’s old chest protector for this match.

Winner: Roderick Strongerick

Michael Bauer: Jigsaw, I really hope you don’t mind your chest matching your mask.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Chris Lansdell: Well, at least we don’t have to see Evans-Strong again. Once again we get Roderick working with a small flippy-floppy guy so he can look strong like bull. Once again there is no reason for him to do the job here.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Samuel Berman: Roderick wins on Friday and he is the leader of his faction, so it would be very reasonable to see him beat Jigsaw, but for some reason, I think this may be one of those rare upsets that really comes out of nowhere. Jigsaw wins clean.

Winner: Jigsaw

411 Staff Picks: Roderick Strong (6-1)

Brent Albright vs. Kevin Steen
Jarrod Westerfeld: Welcome to mark-out city, population me. I’m already hyped up for this match – a strong battle between two big men with a nice power game, stiff shots, and Steen showcasing how agile he is for his size. I can already see this stealing the night if given the right time to develop. I also see this one furthering the feud between Steenerico and the Hangm3n Three, while Delirious and Generico take the night off to help Quack take out the FIP-connection. Expect this to break down, after the match, with Steen getting beat down by the entire unit, until a failed save by Delirious and Generico, resulting in Delirious getting some small retribution against Pearce before being taken down again.

Winner: Brent Albright

Jerome Cusson: I’m wondering if based on the booking if Steen is moving toward a singles push instead of teaming with Generico. I do like the idea of these two heavyweights going at it since ROH has had a problem finding good heavyweight competition since Samoa Joe left. Plus, there is an issue with Steen and the Hangman Three which I hope is settled on the last Pay-Per-View. I’m not really sure who is supposed to win this match so good match idea here. It’s a close call, but I’ll sat Albright so things can heat up.

Winner: Brent Albright

Ari Berenstein: I am really liking this combination here–it should be intense, brutal and really get the crowd’s juices going. I expect Steen to shine in this one and Albright will look like a monster.

Winner: Brent Albright

Bayani Domingo: I have a feeling Albright is going over here, but I think Steen needs the win more. I am still hearing rumors of Steen taking time off and I have a feeling if it is true it will happen after being taken out by the HM3 so I’m guessing this is setting up a cage match or No DQ match soon. I’m guessing Steen picks up the win but not the pin.

Winner: Kevin Steen, via DQ

Michael Bauer: I still think Steen is on the way out for a little while, which means just one thing. Look for more destruction by the Hangmen.

Winner: Brent Albright

Chris Lansdell: I love me some strong style. I love people being dropped on their heads. Looks like this match is win-win for me. The Hangm3n-Steenerico feud is ready to end, although not in this match. Look for Albright to go over in a tough, physical encounter.

Winner: Brent Albright

Samuel Berman: Albright’s going under Danielson on Friday (I’m getting the benefit of writing this after that announcement was made), so giving him a hard-fought win over Steen will be an important move to maintaining his credibility. It’s close, but I’ll give him the win.

Winner: Brent Albright

411 Staff Picks: Brent Albright (6-1)

Jimmy Jacobs vs. Jack Evans
Jarrod Westerfeld: A current ROH World Tag Team Champion taking on the leader of the Vulture Squad, I can’t honestly say that it’s a clear cut decision here – Jacobs walks away looking dominant just for snatching up the big victory here. This could break down a bit with Martinez and Lacey fighting a bit, but not enough to detract from the match terribly enough that it leads us into the thought that Dutch Sapolsky is back behind the booking pen, again.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs

Jerome Cusson: Jimmy Jacobs defeats Bryan Danielson so this naturally leads to a match-up with Evans. If you don’t see the logic, you’re not looking hard enough. In all seriousness though, this whole Vulture Squad vs. Age of the Fall feels very forced and this rivalry does nothing for me. This is another tough one for me to pick because Jacobs could use a singles win if they want to follow his match with Danielson. However, Evans winning could lead to a tag title match down the line.

Jerome Cusson: Jack Evans

Ari Berenstein: This is a “leader” vs. “leader” combination under the faction warfare saga, but Jacobs has the edge because he is currently a tag champion. I think The Age of the Fall leader is going to be kept super strong for the time being and therefore he should dominate this one, perhaps even bloodying up Evans real badly before sealing the deal with his End Time finisher.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs

Bayani Domingo: I’m not even sure what to make of this match but it should be fun. Having the leaders of these two stables face each other so soon seems strange but I can’t imagine Jacobs losing here after beating Danielson and then taking the tag titles. The force is strong with that one.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs

Michael Bauer: This is tough, as both guys need momentum for their stables. Jack Evans doesn’t seem to be as high up on the totem pole right now, so I’ll go for the leader of perpetual screaming.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs

Chris Lansdell: Depending on how Ultimate Endurance goes the night before, this could have some serious heat in it. There will be high spots, there will be Jack Evans getting twisted like a pretzel. Hopefully Jimmy can drag some good wrestling out of Evans. The Vulture Squad need the momentum, so…

Winner: Jack Evans

Samuel Berman: Giving Jack the win would set the Vulture Squad up as the next challengers for the tag belts, but I think they’re going to go another way there, so Jimmy winning makes more sense. Also, beating Danielson only to lost to Evans (as good as I think he is) would just be strange.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs

411 Staff Picks: Jimmy Jacobs (5-2)

Austin Aries vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Jarrod Westerfeld: Like I said about Aries attitude from the previous night, it should continue here with Claudio getting the best of Aries. Austin should really just snap in this one, looking like he’ll get the win via knockout due to knees to the head, but ignore the referee to break it up and stop his attack, after the match, leading to Claudio getting the DQ win – but odds are, they’ll just have Aries push the ref out of the way a lot, as he looks to get back the wins he feels he deserves.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli via DQ

Jerome Cusson: While their match-up during the “Fifth Year Festival” didn’t exactly shake the world, Castagnoli has really improved since then and Aries seems to have found new motivation since his series with Bryan Danielson. I’d love to see Castagnoli get the win here and really put himself into the main event slot or set him for a possible world title match down the line with Nigel. Aries’ possible heel turn could throw a monkey wrench into everything, so I’ll say Austin gets another submission victory.

Winner: Austin Aries

Ari Berenstein: I liked their match from early last year, so its good to see that these two are going to have another go of it. I’m thinking that Aries is going to snap on Stevens in Boston though, so this one may have a darker and more intense atmosphere rather than it being a face-face encounter. Castagnoli will split the weekend here with a loss as he adjusts to life after the Chris Hero feud.

Winner: Austin Aries

Bayani Domingo: Aries needs a bit of his ‘heat’ back after his loss to Stevens and he gets it here.

Winner: Austin Aries

Michael Bauer: Possible sleeper for Match of the Weekend right here. I think with the pace Aries has been on, this match could him back on track. Claudio can’t afford many loses, but this would be one of them.

Winner: Austin Aries

Chris Lansdell: Why? Has this been announced as having title implications? If so, I missed it. Not that I mind – this will probably be one of the better matches on the card. These guys have styles that should mesh very well, and indeed they did in the Kings of Wrestling – Strong and Aries matches. I don’t remember a singles match between the two since that time though, so this is something fairly fresh and promising. Hard to pick a winner.

Winner: Austin Aries (coin flip!)

Samuel Berman: This is for a de facto title shot in my mind, so with Aries having just gotten his opportunity, this is where Claudio earns his. This should be all kinds of awesome as both guys are really hitting on all cylinders at the moment.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

411 Staff Picks: Austin Aries (5-2)

FIP World Heavyweight Title: Erick Stevens © vs. Bryan Danielson
Jarrod Westerfeld: Why is this booked? Don’t get me wrong, I like it and all, but Danielson fighting for the FIP Championship? Why? I don’t think Stevens is dropping the title this early, but I also don’t see Danielson walking away with a big loss here, simply because he’s red hot and needs to remain as such for his battle with Nigel – although he could lose this without losing any type of heat. Stevens might just squeak by with a victory that makes him look more like a fluke than a legitimate main eventer that’s going to dominate the ROH World Title scene.

Winner: Erick Stevens (Retains FIP World Championship)

Jerome Cusson: In questioning whether Erick Stevens can possibly beat Bryan Danielson, you also have to think about Danielson losing two matches this weekend. I have a hard time seeing him do that unless Danielson will use the month of March and possibly the rest of the spring to lick his wounds after losing a lot these last few months. I’m going with Stevens if for no other reason than Danielson as FIP champion once again makes absolutely no sense.

Winner and still FIP champion: Erick Stevens

Ari Berenstein: I don’t expect this one to end cleanly. Stevens has unfinished business with Daniel Puder and since he is on the card both nights I’m expecting some sort of impact to be felt. A run in or some sort by Puder and Sweeney could be enough for the ref to throw out the match after a long and competitive match. An unhappy decision for the fans maybe, but I don’t see Danielson losing cleanly twice in a row and I don’t see him repeating as FIP champion. So…

Winner: No contest

Bayani Domingo: Yikes, I guess Stevens has to retain but it will be interesting to see how. My guess is Danielson gets DQ’ed or counted out, either way Danielson has more to worry about than RoH’s EuroContinental Title.

Winner: “Choo Choo” Erick Stevens

Michael Bauer: Ok, this is really, really weird. On the one hand, there is no way Danielson can lose to Stevens. On the other, Stevens is not dropping the belt before he gets back to Florida. So where does that leave us? Maybe Chris Hero will still be pissed about losing the night before and Puder’s problems with Stevens lead this match to be changed to a tag team match after a short beginning. At least, I hope so, because I have no idea how else to pick it.

Winner: No contest (SnS involvement)

Chris Lansdell: Part 2 of Mission: Legitimize. Everything I said for the Aries match applies here, except this match is even bigger for Stevens. You would get little argument if you called Danielson the best Independent wrestler in the country. In fact, barring injury, he may well have held FIP, RoH and PWG gold simultaneously. For Stevens to beat him will generate a ton of IWC buzz and in all likelihood put him right up with the big names in Ring of Honor.

Winner, and still FIP World Heavyweight Champion: Erick Stevens

Samuel Berman: I think Stevens will get the clean pinfall win here. There’s no logic or rationale behind that prediction, as it’s just my gut feeling on the matter. Danielson has nothing to lose and Stevens has everything to gain by that outcome, so that’s how I think they’ll do it.

Winner and STILL FIP World Heavyweight Champion: Erick Stevens

411 Staff Picks: Erick Stevens (5-0-0-2)

Anything Goes: Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Tyler Black & Necro Butcher
Jarrod Westerfeld: Let’s keep the roll a-rolling… Anyway, let’s get the Age of the Fall to really get under the skin of the Briscoes as they lock up yet another victory over the former ROH World Tag Team Champions, as Necro Butcher goes to town on the Briscoes, possibly even teasing the killing blow. Expect a wild, fast paced match with Butcher taking the type of bumps that leave Mick Foley thinking, “the fuck is wrong with this guy?” Black will also be taking crazy bumps, and the Briscoes will continue to deliver the match styling that people have come to expect from them, and love.

Winner: Tyler Black & Necro Butcher

Jerome Cusson: For the bajillionth time, we have to watch these two teams battle. It’s only been a few months, but I’m sick of this rivalry too. All of their matches feel exactly the same, especially when Necro Butcher is involved. The fact that it’s a street fight only further loses my interest as these are the only matches these two teams seem to be able to have.

Winners: Jay and Mark Briscoe

Ari Berenstein: The Briscoes need to bounce back after losing the titles. History has shown that former champions in ROH don’t always get a rematch immediately, so a win here will help their case out. I think they get revenge here in a non title situation, leading to contention for the titles on future shows in early 2008.

Winner: Jay & Mark Briscoe

Bayani Domingo: If anything goes then I’d like to see this become a drinking contest instead. Or perhaps a saucy game of “I Never”. “I never double teamed Lacey after winning the tag belts”. Maybe Four-Square…only no ‘Cherry Bombs’ or ‘Black Magic’. I’m guessing here the Briscoes get some heat back by winning over the Jr. members of the AoTF. Should be a good match and brutal to say the least, look for Black to take the pin. Tyler, not the Briscoes.

Winner: Briscoe Bros.

Michael Bauer: If there is one thing Jay and Mark were great at, it was putting on a show where they could lose when the titles were not on the line. Well, this is the complete reverse situation, where they are not the champs and they are facing two member of the Age of the Fall. It will be brutal and it will be awesome to watch later on I imagine.

Winners: The Briscoes

Chris Lansdell: I really don’t understand why this isn’t for the titles. Yes, I know Black and Jacobs are the holders, but do you mean to tell me that Necro-Evans couldn’t have happened instead? It’s times like this where I really miss the Pure title, which could have headlined this event once Nigel went down with injury. Still, this will be an all-out brawl, with all four likely showing color, and ridiculous escalating levels of violence. I say Briscoes by insane leap off stupidly high object.

Winners: The Briscoes

Samuel Berman: All four guys are amongst the best brawlers around, so this should be hellacious. I’m not sure which way they’ll go, but the Briscoes will probably win because it’s not the actual championship duo that they’re facing.

Winners: Jay & Mark Briscoe