411’s ROH Roundtable Review: Boston PPV Taping & Glory By Honor VII, September 19th & 20th, 2008

Heyyyyy! Welcome back to the ROH Round table, where we are gearing up for the second of back to back double shot weekends in Ring of Honor! It’s one of the more major weekends of the year, with both a Pay Per View taping AND the annual Glory By Honor show on back to back nights. The latter show will be run at the former ECW Arena, the New Alhambra. It will be only the second ROH show in that venue, the first being 2006’s Arena Warfare event. Friday’s show in Boston features two top tier title matches, including Kevin Steen & El Generico getting their opportunity to win the ROH World Tag Team Titles against The Age of the Fall. Bryan Danielson will attempt to earn his way to an ROH World Title shot on Pay Per View programming by facing two men who current champion Nigel McGuinness has already defeated in Go Shiozaki and Claudio Castagnoli. Then Saturday’s Glory By Honor VII show sees Danielson put up his newly won GHC Jr. Heavyweight Title against Katsuhiko Nakajima. He and GHC Heavyweight Champion Kenusuke Sasaki will debut for ROH here in the United States on that show. It will be a night of championship title defenses as the ROH World, FIP World and NWA World Heavyweight Titles will all also be on the line during that show. Nigel McGuinness will fight fan favorite and fighting underdog El Generico in a rematch of their August 15th fight in Cleveland, Ohio. Lots of great matches are on their way, so let’s see what the 411 staff has to say about it all. This week we have:

One Year Ago: (results from ROHwrestling.com)

Motor City Madness 2007- Detroit, MI 9/14/07

1. Davey Richards beat Silas Young
2. Chasyn Rance & Kenny King beat Mitch Franklin & Alex Payne
3. Bryan Danielson beat Kenny King
4. Bryan Danielson beat Chasyn Rance
5. Erick Stevens won a Four Corner Survival Match to earn an ROH World Title shot later in the night by defeated Delirious, Roderick Strong, & Kevin Steen(411 Mania Said: Delirious 8-2-0-0)
6. Jimmy Jacobs beat Chris Hero (411 Mania Said: Draw 5-5)
7. Naomichi Marufuji defeated El Generico (411 Mania Said: Naomichi Marufuji 9-1)
8. Brent Albright & BJ Whitmer beat Nigel McGuinness & Claudio Castagnoli (411 Mania Said: Brent Albright & BJ Whitmer 7-3)
9. Jack Evans beat Rocky Romero in a Street Fight (411 Mania Said: Jack Evans 9-1)
10. Takeshi Morishima beat Erick Stevens to retain the ROH World Title(411 Mania Said: Takeshi Morishima 10-0)
11. Jay & Mark Briscoe defeated Austin Aries & Matt Cross to retain the World Tag Team Titles (411 Mania Said: Jay & Mark Briscoe 10-0)

**

Man Up- Chicago Ridge, IL 9/15/07

1. Nigel McGuinness won a Four Corner Survival over Chris Hero, Claudio Castagnoli, & Naomichi Marufuji
2. Rocky Romero beat Matt Cross
3. Austin Aries beat Davey Richards
4. Roderick Strong beat Erick Stevens
5. Takeshi Morishima defeated Bryan Danielson to retain the ROH World Title by ref stoppage (411 Mania Said: Takeshi Morishima 6-4)
6. Jay & Mark Briscoe beat Kevin Steen & El Generico to retain the World Tag Team Titles in a Ladder War (411 Mania Said: Jay & Mark Briscoe 9-1)
7. Mitch Franklin beat Alex Payne to retain the Top of the Class Trophy
8. Amazing Kong & Daizee Haze beat Lacey & Sara Del Rey (411 Mania Said: Daizee Haze & Amazing Kong 8-2)
9. BJ Whitmer & Brent Albright beat Chasyn Rance & Kenny King
10. Jack Evans & Irish Airborne vs. Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black, & Necro Butcher ended in a no contest
11. Delirious defeated Matt Sydal in Sydal’s final ROH appearance (411 Mania Said: Delirious 9-1)

**

ROH from the Round

ROH PAY PER VIEW TAPING
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH 2008 – BOSTON, MA

Tag Team Scramble:Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. The Vulture Squad of Ruckus & Jigsaw vs. The YRR of Jason Blade & Kenny King vs. The Necro Butcher

Bayani Domingo: The YRR are glorified jobbers in this match, as are the VS especially since Jigga has done absolutely Jack and Shit since he was de-masked. The Briscoes are always the favorites, but logic dictates that Necro Butcher win as to remain a real threat the next night. I’ll go with logic here.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Michael Bauer: The YRR are jobbers, The Vulture Squad are higher profile jobbers, and the real story is Necro and the Briscoes. I honestly can imagine Necro getting a win by himself to establish his lone gun mentality before Steel Cage Warfare and it makes sense… BUT! The Briscoes are undefeated on Ring of Honor Pay Per View and I also do not see that trend ending to one Necro Butcher.

Winners: The Briscoes

Samuel Berman: There’s a history of matches like this in ROH, where one guy survives the field to win a four way scramble. Punk did it. Homicide did it. I think Necro will do it here, as much to add intrigue to his involvement in Steel Cage Warfare as anything. He’ll probably go over Ruckus, but Blade is another viable option. Either way, Necro wins.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Jarrod Westerfeld: So after doing horribly last week, I still dare to show my face here for God knows what reason. Anyway, this is the pay-per-view taping, and I’ve been so against the idea of this being in Boston not because I dislike Boston or don’t believe they don’t deserve it but rather that they just came off another tour of Japan and as was evidenced in their first two Japan shows the production is so much better and would have translated the product well for a PPV audience. However, because this is the reality, let’s get right into this heap.

The wildcard here is Necro doesn’t have a partner and will probably stand out on his own looking like a wild, untamable dog. I don’t exactly pick him to win here, but odds are he might just pull it off in some crazy fashion and over Jason Blade no less.

Winner: The Necro Butcher

Ari Berenstein: Bayani and Bauer both started on the same page but went into two different directions…huh. Anyway…one man was made to look like a “one man army” during the New Horizons Pay Per View and that was Necro Butcher. I expect that “bad ass” push to continue on PPV tapings and that includes this match. I am seriously tempted to call for Necro to win both this match AND the Steel Cage Warfare match as well. AJ Styles and Homicide among others have been singles wrestlers who have won Scramble matches all on their own, and I think we’re about to see some company added to that list.

Winner: The Necro Butcher

411 Staff Picks: The Necro Butcher…West Virginia, son! (4-1)

NWA World Heavyweight Champion Brent Albright & Erick Stevens vs. Adam Pearce & Eddie Edwards with Larry Sweeney

Bayani Domingo: Eddie Edwards is the jobber here, but he won’t job. Expect some “chicanery” to take place on Pearce to get a pin on Albright to set up their title match the next night.

Winner: Adam Pearce & Eddie Edwards

Michael Bauer: I like the idea for this match on PPV, as Albright left Sweet N’ Sour and Stevens has been having issues with them, but only on PPV. Edwards should be Chris Hero in this match. For that reason alone, I see Larry Sweeney having a heartache.

Winners: Albright and Stevens

Samuel Berman: Pearce & Edwards are the least interesting members of Sweet ‘n Sour, while Albright & Stevens are both big singles stars at this point. Having Pearce pin Albright would fuel the fire of their NWA World Heavyweight Title feud, but that could just as easily be accomplished by Stevens pinning Edwards and then Sweet ‘n Sour doing a post-match beatdown.

Winners: Brent Albright & Erick Stevens

Jarrod Westerfeld: Here we have the classic instance of two people, in Albright and Stevens, not exactly being friends but having common enough enemies to bring them together. So you have two powerhouses that are capable of throwing airplanes taking on two guys who would be more atoned with technical prowess. I’m willing to bank on Pearce being able to pick up a sly pin over Stevens to further his cause for a return to NWA glory rather than the faces going over to get the crowd hot for the night.

Winner: Adam Pearce & Eddie Edwards with Larry Sweeney

Ari Berenstein: I’m still wanting to see Stevens, Albright and Strong form the New Triple Threat….err, the New No Remorse Corps. Although since they’re all faces now they would likely have to be called the A Little Bit of Remorse Corps. You know, to keep the honor intact. And no matter how much he is pushed as a “top prospect”, you can’t get me to care about Eddie Edwards. I like Pearce as a good antagonistic heel, but Stevens needs wins on PPVs and Albright could stand to continue to look strong by winning his match here.

Winner: Brent Albright & Erick Stevens
411 Staff Picks: Brent Albright & Erick Stevens (4-1)

Three Way Elimination: (non-title): Bryan Danielson vs. Claudio Castagnoli vs. FIP World Heavyweight Champion Go Shiozaki

Bayani Domingo: Non-title you say? I guess that means Go doesn’t get the win here. Dub-C is in serious need of a win and I think a pin over the FIP champ would do just fine.

Winner: Dub-C

Michael Bauer: A Non Title match does pretty much end any chance of Go Shiozaki winning. Claudio definitely needs the win, BUT! Bryan Danielson can take this match as beating two people that Nigel has also beaten, whether or not on Pay Per View, as getting another step closer to his pretty much guaranteed title shot.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Samuel Berman: The only way this match makes sense is with Danielson going over both of his opponents to finally earn a shot at Nigel McGuinness on Pay-Per-View. Go falls first, probably to a small package, and then Danielson outlasts Claudio and forces him to tap to Cattle Mutilation.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Jarrod Westerfeld: Winning the title recently, I have to believe that NOAH would like that ROH protect their champion some by having him not eat any loses, especially the first weekend after taking down the title. However, we have some weird circumstances here as we have the FIP champ who has looked weak in the minds of many ROH fans because he doesn’t win enough, and you have a fresh heel in Claudio that could use some momentum in his feud with the current GHC Jr. Heavyweight champion. This all in mind, you’re really looking at more of a tossup than you’d think had we looked at this about a month ago. I’ll personally go with the idea that Danielson needs no win here, thus giving us Claudio the bigger edge. Unfortunately I’m still stuck on the idea that ROH would want to break down Claudio and force him into the waiting arms of Larry Sweeney – after all, ROH still needs to strengthen their tag team division.

Winner: Go Shiozaki

Ari Berenstein: If Danielson doesn’t win here, then what were the last two PPVs for? These shows are bi-monthly, and you don’t put together a lot term chase program for a bi-monthly PPV series if you don’t intend to pay it off. Danielson eliminates both men, getting a measure of revenge on Claudio by eliminating him first through a slight of hand roll up, and a ref stoppage submission on Go for the win. Danielson should IMMEDIATELY challenge Nigel or Strong after winning this match for a title shot at the next PPV.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

411 Staff Picks: Bryan Danielson (3-1-1)

ROH World Tag Team Titles: Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black (c) vs. Kevin Steen & El Generico

Bayani Domingo: I don’t feel like this match has been built up that much and since it feels like another flat title defense…I’ll go with the upset. Somehow Gabe always manages to book a title change just after anyone would really care about seeing it. Then again I have a feeling that since Steen-erico deserve the title…they won’t get it.

Winner: AoTF

Michael Bauer: This is it, Steen and Generico have to win here. The very first Pay Per View, they set the challenge to the Briscoes. The third one, they fought in ladder warfare against said Briscoes. This match should be the culmination of all the build and them finally winning the straps. Jacobs and Black probably get screwed out of this match by Aries to build to tomorrow night.

Winners: Steen-erico (NEW CHAMPS!)

Samuel Berman: If ROH is going to pull the trigger on a reign for Steen & Generico, then this is where they should do it. Jacobs & Black losing the belts allows them to fully delve into the inevitable breakup angle for The Age of the Fall. ROH has been setting up Jacobs as the team’s weak link all along, so having him tap out to Steen’s Sharpshooter is probably how they’ll do this, allowing Jacobs to get paranoid enough about Black’s success to challenge him to a match. I think we’ll see that Jacobs vs. Black match at the Pay-Per-View taping in Chicago, by the way.

Winners and NEW ROH World Tag Team Champions: Kevin Steen & El Generico

Jarrod Westerfeld: You would think this would be the bout that finally pays off the long wait for Steen and Generico’s title victory, the problem is that the company has the Briscoe’s back, they’re finally backing the Age of the Fall as a serious tandem to carry the division thanks to their split feuds with Aries, the Briscoe’s and now the Butcher. So in the end, I think we still have to wait a little longer, but let’s just emphasize this once again: THE ROH WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS NEED TO BE ON EL STEENERICO.

Winner: Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black (RETAIN ROH World Tag Team Titles)

Ari Berenstein: It’s time for Steen & Generico to win…its MORE than time for them to win. Will they win here…or will ROH wait until November 7th, two shows before Steen’s self imposed deadline and in his own hometown to win a title? It’s a tempting thought…but then again, the last FOUR tag title switches were done off of PPV. I think it’s time for another PPV title switch.

Winner: Kevin Steen & El Generico, NEW ROH World Tag Team Champions

411 Staff Picks: Team Steen-erico For The Win! (3-2)

ROH World Title: Nigel McGuinness (c) vs. Roderick Strong

Bayani Domingo: You’re kidding me right? They should have given Roddy a title reign a year ago when he actually had some momentum. At this point there are few men fans will accept as the one to dethrone Nigel and sadly Roddy, though deserving, isn’t one of them.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Michael Bauer: Roderick String gets the shot on Pay Per View because of his Fight Without Honor against Erick Stevens, which was also on Pay Per View. But no matter what anyone says, I do not buy Roderick Strong as a real contender for the Ring of Honor World Title. Nigel retains.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Samuel Berman: Strong’s a nice challenger and all, but Nigel can’t really lose the belt until his issue with Danielson is wrapped up. Call it an even 10 unsuccessful ROH World Title shots for Strong. That’s right, kids, TEN! One against Aries in FIP, one against Punk, one against Gibson in FIP, four against Danielson, one against Morishima and now two against Nigel. That’s pretty sad when you think about it. Match will be great, but ultimately, who really cares?

Winner and STILL ROH World Champion: Nigel McGuinness

Jarrod Westerfeld: Is it May of 2009 yet? No? Then McGuinness is still holding onto the strap.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness (RETAINS ROH World Title)

Ari Berenstein: Jarrod, are you saying Roddy is going to win the ROH World Title in May 2009? That’s a hell of a prediction. Nigel wins this one in a competitive match that ends with Davey Richards and Sweet & Sour Inc. ruining things for Roddy. Oh and they need to explain that face turn sometime on this PPV taping as well.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness retains ROH World Title

411 Staff Picks: Nigel McGuinness (5-0)

What is one other match you’d like to see happen on this show?

Bayani Domingo: Emo-lirious vs Daizee Haze in a “Prince of Darkness” match. An easy way for Delirious to ‘cop a feel’ and totally get away with it.

Michael Bauer: Well, Austin Aries is not booked yet and neither is Delirious, so an obvious choice would be those two squaring off to build to steel cage warfare, especially since this did announce Aries will face someone in the Age of the Fall. But what I would be more interested in seeing is Chris Hero vs. Jerry Lynn. If Sweet N’ Sour will ever be taken seriously, a good PPV win is needed and this would be a huge win for Chris Hero.

Samuel Berman: Austin Aries, as noted by ROH, will face the Age of the Fall, which essentially means that he’ll go toe-to-toe with Delirious. That match has been pretty solid in the past, and I think with well-defined face-heel alignments it can be even better. I’d also like to see Chris Hero vs. Jerry Lynn.

Jarrod Westerfeld: Now that I think about it, this card does seem to feel light [of] a few things. This card is seriously lacking some names such as Delirious, Austin Aries and Chris Hero. Of that trio there’s only one combination I can think of to even play up on and if you can interject Daizee Haze between Aries and Delirious than you could really spice things up there.

Ari Berenstein: I’ll echo the majority sentiments. Aries vs. Delirious and Hero vs. Lynn makes the most sense (and the latter provides some interest possibilities in booking). I also think we’re due a rematch between Bobby Dempsey and the chocolate cookie.

**

ROH Videowire

Apparently, sewing machines, black cats, and crying are all viewed as unmanly.

**

GLORY BY HONOR VII
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2008 – PHILADELPHIA, PA

Erick Stevens vs. Rhett “Addicted To Love” Titus

Bayani Domingo: I don’t even know what Titus’ finisher is? Is it the “Might as well face it” Driver? Stevens has really seen his stock drop lower than AIG lately and considering he used to be such a hot act I think he needs something big here to get back in the picture after Tyler Black basically stole his spot.

Winner: Erick “Choo Choo” Stevens

Michael Bauer: This has got to be a joke. I don’t care that Titus is King of the Scrubs, he doesn’t belong in the ring with Stevens.

Winner: Erick Stevens

Samuel Berman: After unforseen events forced me to miss last week’s roundtable, I’m back. Let’s just get this part out of the way now: swing over to The Cool Kids’ Table for more great coverage of this weekend’s events. Ok, plug over. Anyway, I don’t care about Titus’ gimmick, though I do like that ROH is trying to integrate the students into major storylines. Stevens goes over strong.

Winner: Erick Stevens

Jarrod Westerfeld: Is Rhett really big enough to entrust with a win over a former FIP Champion in Erick Stevens? Yeah, I wasn’t thinking so either.

Winner: Erick Stevens

Ari Berenstein: I give Titus way more credit than the others on the RT. I dig his act and his in ring game is very solid. He made the most of an opportunity. He could conceivably pull off an upset…but not realistically. STEVENS SMASH!

Winner: Erick Stevens

411 Staff Picks: Erick Stevens (5-0)

Kenny King vs. Jerry Lynn

Bayani Domingo: Jerry Lynn doesn’t job to “Tough Enough” rejects.

Winner: Mr. JL

Michael Bauer: Jerry Lynn should get an easy win here, but this will probably be the most underrated match on the card. Nobody will expect greatness here, but they could be very pleasantly surprised.

Winner: Jerry Lynn

Samuel Berman: Word is that King will actually get an opportunity to, you know, DO SOMETHING this time around. Lynn’s whole bit in his match with Nigel was that he was trying to outsmart him. If they go with that as Lynn’s de facto gimmick (savvy veteran whose experience is his strength), then King really shouldn’t have a shot here. Hopefully that’s how ROH plays this, because it’s the most internally consistent way to do things.

Winner: Jerry Lynn

Jarrod Westerfeld: Kenny King, meet death. He comes in the form of a seasoned veteran who knows for a fact that you’d better be able to hang with him or you’ll be eaten alive by the crowd. Hope you own an ‘A’ game and are willing to bring it for this one.

Winner: Jerry Lynn

Ari Berenstein: Bayani, what are you talking about? Jerry Lynn jobs to EVERYBODY! Did you NOT watch ECW back in the day? I love Lynn’s in ring work and am very glad he’s back in ROH, but I am calling UPSET SPECIAL on this one. Gabe is high on Kenny King and a win over a name veteran puts him right on the map quickly.

Winner: Kenny King. Yeah, I said it.

411 Staff Picks: Jerry Lynn (4-1)

FIP World Heavyweight Title: Go Shiozaki (c) vs. Kevin Steen

Bayani Domingo: This is the cheapest way to get Steen a title isn’t it?

Winner: “Mr. Wrestling” Kevin Steen

Michael Bauer: Now, I’m torn here. Steen always said he is bringing gold around his waist, but does the FIP Title count? I think Go retains here, but you know that 10 million shenanigans will have to happen first. Steen is just too good to hold this belt.

Winner: Go Shiozaki

Samuel Berman: I think Steen is getting his gold the night before, so this is a retention for Go, also allowing him to pick a partner for a later ROH World Tag Team Title shot.

Winner and STILL FIP World Heavyweight Champion: Go Shiozaki

Jarrod Westerfeld: Gabe wouldn’t be stupid enough to actually move the FIP title around so soon off of a newly crowned champion YET AGAIN would he? Let’s simply hope not.

Winner: Go Shiozaki (RETAIN FIP World Heavyweight Title)

Ari Berenstein: Roderick Strong and Erick Stevens are your perennial contenders for the FIP belt these days. This match won’t change that dynamic. Go will see both of those men later down in Florida.

Winner: Go Shiozaki Retains FIP World Title

411 Staff Picks: Go Shiozaki (4-1)

NWA World Heavyweight Title: Brent Albright (c) vs. Adam Pearce

Bayani Domingo: As much as I’d like to root for my main man “Scrap Daddy” in this match I have a feeling that this won’t be a short title reign for Albright. Although the odds are stacked against him I have to think another miscue by Double E or Sweeney will cost Pearce this match. For some reason I can’t see the NWA giving someone a second title reign so quickly and my money is on AmDrag wearing the belt next. Sorry AP.

Winner: Brent Albright

Michael Bauer: I don’t think Albright is just going to hand the title back. Pearce winning it back would just be counter-productive for Albright and the title itself. I imagine this will be physical as hell, but unlike Go’s title defense, the shenanigans work against Pearce this time.

Winner: Brent Albright by DQ

Samuel Berman: ROH probably isn’t calling the shots here, which is why there is a small chance that Pearce wins the title back. That would set up a third and final match between the two, potentially in a Steel Cage or something like that. I think Albright will retain, however, and move on to a different challenger and feud.

Winner and STILL NWA World Heavyweight Champion: Brent Albright

Jarrod Westerfeld: I don’t think the NWA has fallen too much in love with Adam Pearce that they’d want to move the title back onto him so soon after taking it off of him. Nor do I believe that the NWA has fallen out of love with Brent Albright enough to want to remove him from a position that demonstrates that the WWE really did, in fact, drop the ball on him.

Winner: Brent Albright (RETAINS NWA World Heavyweight Title)

Ari Berenstein: I believe it’s up to the NWA to decide on a title change, but if I were them I’d want to do the next switch (if its back to Pearce, who does a phenomenal job for them on their programming) on one of their own shows.

Winner: Brent Albright retains NWA World Heavyweight Title

411 Staff Picks: Brent Albright (5-0)

GHC Jr. Heavyweight Title: Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima

Bayani Domingo: Wish I knew who Nakajima was. Actually I do, but just barely so…

Winner: AmDrag

Michael Bauer: Nakajima vs. Danielson is almost not fair to pick. Danielson is so big in Japan that he actually could win his match without a ruffling of feathers in Japan.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Samuel Berman: With Danielson’s title on the line, this one becomes a nearly automatic win for him. I was pretty sure he was going over anyway, though. Match should be incredibly awesome if Nakajima’s previous work is any indication. Really, any fans who haven’t seen Nakajima before should definitely seek out some of his other matches.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Jarrod Westerfeld: Well, someone went and made this even more obvious that Danielson is going to win by naming this a title bout: Nakajima welcome to ROH sorry about the loss.

Winner: Bryan Danielson (RETAINS GHC Jr. Heavyweight Title)

Ari Berenstein: Not sure why everyone else feels a Danielson win is automatic. Nakajima could come and take the title right back to Japan for all we know. I haven’t seen Nakajima’s matches, so I don’t know what to expect here, but everyone seems to think big things, so I’m believing the hype for now.

Winner: Bryan Danielson retains GHC Jr. Heavyweight Title

411 Staff Picks: Bryan Danielson (5-0)

GHC Heavyweight Champion Kensuke Sasaki vs. Claudio Castagnoli (non-title)

Bayani Domingo: HEY!! I wish Claudio had a chance in hell too, but it’s the GHC Champ.

Winner: KENSKEE Florida

Michael Bauer: Sorry Claudio, but you have as much chance of winning this as we did of seeing Dragon vs. Morishima while he was GHC Heavyweight Champion.

Winner: Kensuke Sasaki

Samuel Berman: Sasaki in a walk. Ideally he’ll at least let Claudio look competitive here.

Winner: Kensuke Sasaki

Jarrod Westerfeld: What about NOAH champions being protected would lead us to believe that Castagnoli is winning this bout? It would take a huge name that NOAH likes enough to even see as a possibility of being the GHC Heavyweight champion to even beat their champion in a non-title bout on American soil: Claudio isn’t that guy.

Winner: Kensuke Sasaki

Ari Berenstein: This could be really, really cool, or a real cluster of a match. I think Claudio gets as much offense in as Roderick did last week, if not a bit more. Sasaki just won the GHC title and I don’t think he’s about to lose a singles match to anyone any time soon.

Winner: Kensuke Sasaki

411 Staff Picks: Kensuke Sasaki (5-0)

Steel Cage Warfare (3 vs. 3 vs. 1):The Briscoes & Austin Aries vs. The Age of the Fall of Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black, & Delirious vs. The Necro Butcher

Bayani Domingo: Necro Butcher winning this thing would be insane. This is probably just a big set-up though and my guess is that the AoTF will continue to dominate over the Super Team of the Briscoes and Aries known as: Fire Water.

Winner: Age of the SWERVE

Michael Bauer: Ok, I have no idea what to think here. I think this match should be the end of The Briscoes feud with Age of the Fall, just about one year after it all started. This way, especially if Jacobs and Black don’t have the belts, The Briscoes can concentrate on going back after the Tag straps. Aries keeps the fire going, but I think Necro makes the final decision here. In the end, I think he will technically get the win, but it will be at the expense of Jimmy Jacobs.

Winner: Necro Butcher

Samuel Berman: I have absolutely no idea which way they’re going here. The fact is, there are so many storylines working here that this almost can’t be anything short of epic. I’m not sure whether this is elimination rules or not, but working under the theory that it’ll be more WarGames style (and thus NOT an elimination match), I picked an unlikely result on the most recent podcast at TCKT that I’ll stick with here. Delirious forces the Necro Butcher into submission to earn the win for the Age of the Fall.

Winners: Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black & Delirious

Jarrod Westerfeld: One would think this would play host to a swerve but odds are the Age of the Fall will actually win this not because Necro was still on their side, but rather that Necro’s lack of affiliation basically gives them an extra man in this bout. After all, Necro doesn’t hold a grudge with Tyler Black or Delirious so he may just be lenient enough on them to focus on the Briscoe’s who he does hold issue with.

Winner: The Age of the Fall of Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black, & Delirious

Ari Berenstein: Some people are picking the swerve of Necro returning to the fold of The Age of the Fall, but really, his spot has been taken by Delirious. The winner of this really depends on if this is elimination rules or first pin / submission to win. Unfortunately, ROH hasn’t specified the rules (which is frustrating because they said they would) so like most everyone else on the RT, I’m a bit torn about who to choose. I’ll go with the faces if just to be different; specifically The Briscoes finally getting a dominant win almost a year after starting their war against Jacobs & Black. Though the feud with Aries isn’t over yet, so I’d expect post match madness with Aries getting punked. And Necro will punch people. That’s an easy one!

Winner: The Briscoes & Austin Aries

411 Staff Picks: The Age of the Fall (Jacobs, Black & Delirious) (3-1-1)

ROH World Title: Nigel McGuinness / Roderick Strong vs. El Generico

Bayani Domingo: No Way….NoWay,NoWay,NoWay… Is Generico beating Nigel for the title here. He’ll have a good match, but ultimately fall short. He has such awesome babyface fire but he’s just not going to reach that brass ring in RoH. Their match at last year’s BoLA was decent, but not great, I have a feeling this one will be much better though.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Michael Bauer: Steen and Generico are greedy huh? Getting a Tag Tile shot, then each of them getting singles shots. Generico is not the man to beat Nigel as they will put on another great match.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Samuel Berman: As I said before, Nigel can’t lose the belt before facing Danielson, so this becomes nothing more than a fun match with a predictable outcome. Generico always shines in big matches, though, so this one should be fantastic from an in-ring perspective, possibly even moreso than the Nigel vs. Strong match from the Pay-Per-View taping.

Winner and STILL ROH World Champion: Nigel McGuinness

Jarrod Westerfeld: Is it May 2009 yet? No? Okay than.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness (RETAINS ROH World Title)

Ari Berenstein: Gabe tried to tease on a recent write up that El Generico opened his eyes in Japan, from which the more “in tune” fans online could infer that Generico will be winning the title this weekend. And see, Generico winning the ROH World Title IS a possibility…just not a realistic probability. Nigel will win in a fantastic match with multiple falls and the Philly fans likely dying to see the switch and being denied in dramatic fashion. For the record, I think Generico would be an excellent ROH World Champion.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness retains the ROH World Title

411 Staff Picks: Nigel McGuinness (5-0)

Thanks for reading and be sure to stay plugged into the latest ROH news and results this weekend through 411!
–A–