Column of Honor 11.08.08: Calling London, Part Two

Welcome back to the Column.

ROH Call

ROH Champions—As of 11/08/2008

ROH World Champion—Nigel McGuinness (champion since 10/06/07, 29 successful defenses)
–defeated Takeshi Morishima in Edison, New Jersey to win the championship.

Next Defense: a. vs. Necro Butcher, Markham, ONT, Canada, 11/08/08
b. vs. Austin Aries & ????, Dayton, OH, 11/21/08
c. vs. Bryan Danielson, Chicago Ridge, IL 11/22/08

V.1 defeated Jay Briscoe, wristlock submission (10/21/07 San Francisco, CA)
V.2 defeated Chris Hero, wristlock submission (11/02/07 Philadelphia, PA)
V.3 defeated Austin Aries, Jawbreaker Lariat (12/29/07 Manhattan, NY)
V.4 defeated Go Shiozaki, London Dungeon (wristlock submission) (01/20/08 Tokyo, Japan,)
V.5 Steel Cage Match: defeated Chris Hero (01/25/08, Dayton, OH)
V.6 defeated Roderick Strong, Jawbreaker Lariat (01/26/08, Chicago Ridge, IL)
V.7 defeated Bryan Danielson, London Dungeon (02/23/08, Manhattan, NY)
V.8 defeated Tyler Black, London Dungeon (03/16/08, Philadelphia, PA)
V.9 defeated Larry Sweeney, Jawbreaker Lariat (03/22/08 Crystal River, FL)
V.10 defeated Austin Aries, Jawbreaker Lariat (03/29/08 Orlando, FL)
V.11 defeated Erick Stevens, London Dungeon (04/11/08 Boston, MA)
V.12 defeated Kevin Steen, roll up holding the ropes (04/12/08 Edison, NJ)
V.13 defeated Kevin Steen, Jawbreaker Lariat (04/19/08 Chicago Ridge, IL)
V.14 defeated Claudio Castagnoli, London Dungeon, (05/10/08, Manhattan, NY)
V.15 defeated KENTA and BJ Whitmer, Jawbreaker Lariat to Whitmer (05/15/08, Tokyo, Japan)
V.16 defeated Go Shiozaki, London Dungeon (06/07/08, Philadelphia, PA)
V.17 defeated Vic Viper, London Dungeon (06/14/08, Tallaght, Ireland)
V.19 defeated Keith Myatt and Lionheart, (06/20/08, Doncaster, U.K.)
V.20 (title for title) defeated NWA Champion Adam Pearce, Jawbreaker Lariat (06/27/08, Dayton, OH)
*match later reversed via DQ, both men keep their respective titles.
V.21 defeated Kevin Steen, Lariat off Turbuckle, (07/25/08, Toronto, ONT, CN)
V.22 defeated Claudio Castagnoli, Jawbreaker Lariat (07/26/08, Detroit, MI)
V.23 defeated Ruckus, London Dungeon (08/01/08, Manassas, VA)
V.24 Four Way Elimination Match: defeated Bryan Danielson, Tyler Black & Claudio Castagnoli (08/02/08, Manhattan, NY)
V.25 defeated El Generico, London Dungeon (08/15/08, Cleveland, OH )
V.26 defeated Jimmy Jacobs, Jawbreaker Lariat (09/14/08, Tokyo, Japan)
V.27 defeated Roderick Strong, (09/19/08, Boston, MA)
V.28 defeated El Generico, roll up, (09/20/08, Philadelphia, PA)
V.29 Four Way Elimination Match: defeated Go Shiozaki, El Generico & Kevin Steen (11/07/08, Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

**

ROH World Tag Team Champions—Kevin Steen & El Generico (champions since 09/19/08, NEW CHAMPIONS)
–defeated The Age of the Fall of Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black on September 19th, 2008 in Boston, MA to win the championship.

Next Defense: vs. Jay & Mark Briscoe, Toronto, Canada, 11/08/08

**

NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion: Blue Demon Jr. (since 10/25/2008) * NEW CHAMPION
-defeated Adam Pearce via submission with a half crab to win the title.
FIP Heavyweight Champion: Go Shiozaki (since 08/23/2008)
-defeated Erick Stevens via pinfall with help from the Heartbreak Enterprises to win the title.
SHIMMER Champion: MsChif (since 4/26/2008)
-defeated Sara Del Ray via pinfall with the Descrator DDT to win the title
Top of the Class Trophy (for ROH Students): Rhett “Addicted to Love” Titus (since 06/07/2008)
-defeated Ernie Osiris via pinfall to win the trophy.
Sweet & Sour Incorporated Presents The Intergender Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Of The World—Chris Hero & Sara Del Rey (since 01/12/08)

**

Top Feuds & Pairings:
-Bryan Danielson vs. Claudio Castagnoli
-Nigel McGuinness vs. Bryan Danielson
-Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Jacobs Best of Three Match Series
-Dissension between Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black
-Samoa Joe vs. Tyler Black
-Sweet & Sour Inc. “Corporate Takeover”
-Brent Albright, Roderick Strong & Erick Stevens vs. Sweet & Sour Inc.
-Delirious as a part of AotF
-Jerry Lynn runs the contention ladder to an ROH World Title shot

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

20
According to reports from last night’s show a new rule change was announced for ROH matches. Every match will now have a 20 count on the floor. This is the first major in-ring change of mechanics for ROH in quite some time. ROH has not had count outs in general matches going all the way back to the very first show, although the “Pure Title” division did employ the use of the twenty count rule. One of the reasons that a count was not administered was the thought that the count out finish had been played out and didn’t go towards the determination of clear winners and losers. Now ROH officially has another decision variable to play around with in determining the finish to matches, but at the same time I don’t know how well a count out finish, especially a screwy one, will be received by fans in attendance. Although it wasn’t employed on last night’s show, expect the count out finish to start creeping into the product in certain matches, likely where it makes logical sense to use it.

Dayton’s Day

Nigel McGuinness was unimpressed with the news that Bryan Danielson has “forced” himself into a 3-Way match against Kenny Omega and Tyler Black in Toronto. “Anything that club-foot Danielson can do,” proclaimed Nigel, “I can most assuredly do better. He wants to ‘prove his worth’ in 3-Way matches? No problem. In Dayton, one day before I beat Dragon within an inch of his life and prove I’m the best ROH champion of all time, I will put this belt up for grabs, and I’ll do it in a 3-Way Dance as well!” We’ll have his challengers for Dayton as they become available! Nigel still faces the challenge of leaving Canada this coming weekend as the World Champion.

Should Nigel McGuinness retain the ROH title in Canada, we now know who one of his two potential challengers is. Austin Aries has signed the contract and will oppose McGuinness and another opponent in Dayton on 11/21, with or without the title on the line!

While the McGuinness vs. Danielson rivalry hasn’t been right in everyone’s face over the last seven months or so, it’s always been there, either in the background or in the foreground depending on if they were directly involved in a match. McGuinness’s constant references to Danielson’s trademark catchphrases when he wrestles carries on the antagonism from his side, while Danielson makes bluntly clear in his promos that he wants another shot at McGuinness and the ROH World Title. This three way dance for three way dance again references a competitive jealousy from McGuinness. I like the “anything you can do, I can do better” mentality demonstrated here. McGuinness and Aries in the same match has proven to be very good to great over the last year and if Jimmy Jacobs ends up a part of this match, then so much the better.

Speaking of Bryan Danielson, he apparently hasn’t forgotten about what Claudio Castagnoli did to him several months back in New York. Also signed for Dayton on 11/21 is Danielson vs. Castagnoli! Requests for comment from Castagnoli were denied.

ROH Officials have been impressed by the past performances of “New Horror” Sami Callahan, and have signed him to appear on 11/21 in Dayton and on 11/22 in Chicago.

Speaking of Davey Richards, his challenge to Brent Albright took only minutes to be answered. Albright has signed the dotted-line and these two beasts will lock horns in Dayton on November 21st!

Danielson vs. Castagnoli has been followed up on pretty well in the August DVDs but I think has gotten lost (and probably for the best) amidst the build to the Danielson vs. McGuinness title shot. Castagnolicould be used here as a “hatchet man” to injure Danielson before the big title match and change the dynamics of the main event a little bit. Callahan had a try out match or two on previous ROH shows and after finally watching him through some CHIKARA DVDs I am all for seeing more of him. The guy made me laugh straight up when he said to Vin Gerard he was going to stab him and wear his face as a mask. How can you not love the panache of such a statement? Give him another shot in ROH and see what he can do either on the pre-show or the undercard of the main show. Albright vs. Richards was originally scheduled for the 10/25 show in Edison, NJ and changed, so let’s hope we can finally get this one off the books and into the ring for real this time.

Rising Above to the Challenge

A six-man tag team grudge match has been signed for Chicago on 11/22. The team of Chris Hero, Davey Richards, and Go Shiozaki, representing Sweet-n-Sour Incorporated will oppose Roderick Strong, Erick Stevens, and Brent Albright! The ROH booking committee has indicated that BOTH sides have requested a stipulation on this match. ROH officials are going over the possibilities, and will have that announcement next week here in the newswire!

Here’s where I get a bit concerned about overbooking—let’s hope that both stipulations aren’t honored, because when you have two instead of one the match tends to get confusing or overly chaotic. Maybe they should have a match on 11/21 with one man from each team to determine which stipulation gets used.

ROH Officials are happy to welcome the impressive Silas Young back to ROH on 11/22 in Chicago.

I have liked Silas Young’s appearances in ROH for some time now, but hopefully he’ll also be given some sort of definitive direction in the near future, as ROH seems to be doing with Kenny Omega and in his appearances in Canada.

Austin Aries has agreed to allow Tyler Black to serve as Jimmy Jacobs’ ring second for their highly anticipated “I Quit” match on 11/22 in Chicago. We’re told that the agreement came when ROH officials agreed to allow Aries to have a second of his own for the bout. Aries has apparently made it clear that Jacobs will have to wait until Chicago to find out just who his second will be.

Speculation has Aries bringing in either Alex Shelley or Lacey in a surprise return (Shelley does owe him one and Lacey does owe Jacobs one as well—by that I mean a punch or two to the face), but the safe bet could be Necro Butcher to back him up, since Necro is now fully entrenched in a war against The Age of the Fall. This match will likely be for everything in the Aries vs. Jacobs feud, so to expect something big to go down is only natural.

Blood boils hot in Chicago as Delirious and Rhett Titus will take their feud to another level. Will Titus once again end up a bloody mess, or will the masked Delirious find out why “the thrust is a must”? And will Daizee Haze have anything more to say on the subject?

The answers to that are likely yes (inside the ring and likely outside as well), no (hopefully neither inside the ring or outside the ring, if you get my drift) and yes (but hopefully just inside and not outside the ring).

The fans in Chi-Town should get ready because Ring of Honor is bringing something entirely new to the “Rising Above” PPV taping on 11/22! Show up and find out what it is! This exciting development promises to take the ROH viewing experience to a completely new level!

Highly possible: a new video screen. Medium possible: new bleacher seating. Impossible: non-cardboard tasting pizza at the concession stands.

Morishima to Return to ROH

Final Battle 2008 weekend just got even BIGGER. Last week we announced that Naomichi Marufuji, Kensuke Sasaki, & Katsuhiko Nakajima would be wrestling in Philadelphia, PA on 12/26 and New York City on 12/27. Just announced earlier today on the main page at www.rohwrestling.com is the return of former ROH World Champion Takeshi Morishima. Matches featuring these amazing international talents will be announced in upcoming weeks.

Someone mentioned last week I made a typo by writing “Morishima” instead of “Marufuji” as coming to ROH for Final Battle weekend. I knew that I would make that mistake too and I corrected that line, but maybe I should have left it that way! Who’s clairvoyant? Don’t call me Claire. Anyway, the big question is who do you match up Morishima against? The big call would obviously be the final battle against Bryan Danielson to properly close out that feud, but that would actually get in the way of my own hopes to see Danielson vs. Black for the title on the final show.

You Know I Don’t Speak Spanish

The reigning ROH World Tag Team Champions, Kevin Steen and El Generico, have been signed to appear in Dayton on 11/21. Should they retain the titles Toronto on 11/8 against the Briscoe Brothers, the belts will be on the line! El Generico was quoted as saying, “Somos campeones de la lucha. Después de que batamos el Briscoes en Toronto y demostremos a cada uno que somos el mejor en el mundo, prometemos que defenderemos estas correas contra cualquier persona que se coloque en nuestra trayectoria a la grandeza. Representamos ROH y la gente, y seremos victoriosos! Arriba!” Steen couldn’t comment because he was laughing too hard at Generico’s Tito Santana T-Shirt and use of the word ‘Arriba’. We’ll have their opponents next week right here in the newswire.

That may be the most El Generico has ever spoken at one time.

Black Days Ahead

We anticipated hearing from the Age of the Fall in regard to Samoa Joe’s return to ROH, and we can confirm that we’ve indeed heard from them, and in a big way! Tyler Black has posted a new blog (http://projectonesixone.blogspot.com/), and among the topics he discussed was how he’s “tired of these “former ROH legends” coming “home” to ROH from TNA” to “to rekindle that flame within”. Black has stated that he believes by “knocking Samoa Joe out” he can earn another shot at the ROH World Title. We’ll have a response from Samoa Joe as soon as possible.

ROH Officials have fielded several phone calls from Samoa Joe, who by all accounts sees a lot of “humor” in Tyler Black’s recent blog calling out the ROH legend.

Joe vs. Black was the most obvious match to be done and it definitely looks like we’ll be getting that at least in some form, whether as a singles or as a part of a tag match. Black will get the rub from a fight against Joe win or lose, and if he actually wins then nothing may be able to stop his momentum to the top of the company.

Shane’s Shame

Shane Hagadorn has reportedly been seeing a psychologist for what we’re told is “extreme depression”. Larry Sweeney repeatedly deflected questions about the long time “manservant”, saying only that “Hagadorn is in mourning. He’s struggling to find his purpose.” More on this as it develops.

Wow…the man did really carry a flame for Adam Pearce. I don’t know how he’s going to deal with it. Maybe some poetry or long walks on the beach could help out.

ROH Home Theatre Station

Videowire: November 4th, 2008

An all SHIMMER top five, in anticipation of writing about the latest DVDs for next week’s column.

1. MsChif : Not only does she look cool in the ring, but she’s a microbiologist to boot! Her screaming gimmick is a constant source of amusement—that bit can be stretched out and used in some many different ways in the match. Then when it’s time to wrestle and get down to it she can do that as well. Her first title defense came against Jetta and it was a well worked effort, mostly used to put shine on MsChif’s ability to be champion and defend the belt.
2. Amazing Kong: Even in squash matches, she is just too awesome. She is supposed to be the Vader-like monster, dominating everyone and inspiring fear and intimidation, but the fans can’t help but love her. She received massive pops for taking out Lorelei Lee on volume 19.
3. Ariel : The Portugese princess stepped her game up big time in the last few volumes and has become a true fan favorite not just because she’s cute, but because she’s earned the hearts and faith of the crowd in attendance.
4. Cheerleader Melissa: She is still the baddest most beautiful bad ass on the block. She looks like a ass-kicker, she is an ass-kicker and every match she’s in has been worth watching.
5. Jennifer Blake: “Girl Dynamite” impressed in her match against Allison Danger on volume 19. She could definitely play an important role on the babyface side for SHIMMER in the year to come.

Honorarium: Age of Insanity & Night of the Butcher II Thoughts

-Unfortunately, Ring of Honor’s latest pair of DVD releases represents two of the weaker shows of the year, especially the Chicago show Night of the Butcher II. Of the two I’d actually say that “Age of Insanity” is far better, actually worth picking up due to the Delirious turn, a good back-and-forth wrestling match between Tyler Black and Austin Aries and the main event title match (which was overblown by those talking about the match after it happened but still a really good effort by both Generico and McGuinness leading up to a fantastic finish).

The problem with both of these DVDs is actually the major problem that led to the booking change—too much of the same thing from other DVDs led to some of the matches I saw here being predictable and pedantic. I guess after watching these shows you can start to see why the booking change happened when it happened. Too much of the same combinations of wrestlers and too much of the same structure to the shows begin to water down the product.

On the plus side, the main events for each show really came through. Generico vs. McGuinness was built up by awesome promos with Steen hyping up his partner Generico and getting him mentally ready for such a momentous moment in his career. The match itself saw Generico fight from the underdog position, being beaten down but coming back and making his offense count.

The Necro Butcher vs. Jimmy Jacobs match pretty much saved the show in Chicago, with some great and creative brawling in the crowd, doing some new spots that hasn’t been seen before (and a lot of crowd brawling has been seen before in these days). Necro’s entrance was goose-bump worthy and I’m convinced more than ever that “I Won’t Back Down” is a perfect theme song. I think Necro can become a folk hero of sorts, a man of the people the way Catcus Jack was back in the early ECW days, if he sticks with this babyface run and the crowd really embraces him. He and Jacobs did a lot to provide a good match for the fans, and while Necro loses the match, he wins the war by being the last man standing and punching everyone out in his vicinity to end the night. It was definitely a great moment and like I said, saved the show from a series of bland or boring matches in the middle of the show.

However, one of the bigger problems of the Chicago show comes from the matches, a few of which like Erick Stevens vs. Chris Hero are flat out boring. The semi main event of Albright vs. Shiozaki is almost actively bad, with both men losing themselves and messing up during the match and generally being very slow and below average in their work, which is the last thing I’d expect from both of them at this point in their careers. The thing is, these matches were slower in pace and style, and when I think of the changes that ROH and Adam Pearce want to institute in the future, with a slower in ring style, I’m thinking along the line of those matches and just cringing at the thought of a whole show like that.

On the plus side for Chicago is that there is plenty of charisma and showmanship on display, especially on the undercard with Steen vs. Kenny King and Generico vs. Black. Steen’s comments walking to and from the ring are hysterical…and his cutting down on King throughout initially got me pumped to see this DVD. King did a very solid job in the Danielson match and a good job here, focusing more on attitude and heel work when he got the heat on Steen. Steen and Jigsaw in Cleveland was a fine start but again underscored why Jigsaw was much better off in the mask.

Another positive was the tag team scramble match which was fast and furious, impressed the crowd and helped to get over The Phoenix Twins even on their debut appearance for the company. Strong running the Gauntlet was well done at the beginning, especially with the bit about Dempsey just lying down for him and Sweeney not seeing it…but the segment ran a bit long by the end of it. Good heat though for Sweeney coming out on top.

The Ohio show also has the sort of good start, eh mid section and excellent main event format as the second night. Chicago’s lows were lower than Cleveland though, and Cleveland’s highs were higher.

ROH Preview: November 8th, 2008 in Markham, Ontario, Canada

Markham Fair
7:30pm belltime
10801 McCowan Road,
Markham, Ontario,
L3P 3J3

ROH World Title Match
Nigel McGuinness defends vs. The Necro Butcher

I expect this to run underneath the tag title match, especially given the nationality of the tag champions combined with the clear expectations that there won’t be a title switch in this one. Necro will provide a good time though and I think Nigel is willing to play along with him and his style of match. Hopefully this one stays interference free (no Age of the Fall run ins until after the match is over) and we get a clean finish.

World Tag Team Title Match
Kevin Steen & El Generico (if still champions) defend vs. Jay & Mark Briscoe

The story is that Steen and Generico were never able to defeat The Briscoes in a title-match situation when they challenged for the belts. Now that the shoe is on the other foot and they must defend the straps, the pressure is on them to show that they can win when it counts. Look for the Canadian crowd to be almost universally behind their countrymen and universally against The Briscoes (maybe even outright booing them as the heels in the situation). It should be a physical match and one that leaves the crowd satisfied.

Dog Collar Match
Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Jacobs

This is the second of their best-of-three series and Jacobs is up one to nothing. A dog collar match in ROH has usually been filled with lots of slug fests as well as use of the chain to choke the opponent and to draw blood. I expect Aries and Jacobs will use the stipulation as best as they can to tell a story in the ring based on the hatred and enmity between the two. Aries should go over here to tie things up at one apiece, but another win by Jacobs is an intriguing idea as it puts psychological pressure on Aries to win the last one and avoid a sweep and the humiliation of losing to Jacobs so badly by the end of this feud.

Three Way Match
Bryan Danielson vs. Tyler Black vs. Kenny Omega

This works as a way to test Omega against the bigger guns of the company as well as to continue the series between Danielson and Black. Those two have wrestled against each other several times all year, with Danielson getting the win most of the time (save for one tag match) although Black comes very, very close each time to defeating him. Omega will be the x-factor here and what they do inside the ring will likely play off his presence.

Special Challenge Match
Jerry Lynn vs. Davey Richards with Larry Sweeney

The competitive singles wrestling match of the evening and Lynn’s next big test in his climb up to the top rung of the contention ladder for the ROH World Title. Lynn is now a fully entrenched presence within the company, so this match could help fans see where he is really slotted for the near future. If he defeats Richards here it is likely he could be on the way to challenging for the title in the near future. A loss or screwy finish would slow his momentum and redirect him into another program, perhaps a direct involvement with the other wrestlers who oppose Sweet & Sour Inc.

Brodie Lee & Delirious vs. Kenny King & ????

Right now it’s looking pretty obvious that Rhett Titus will be Kenny King’s partner, although that would make this a heel vs. heel tag match., Now that’s pretty unorthodox and unexpected in ROH, perhaps a new touch from the new booker. Surprisingly though I’d expect a competitive bout for a while, until Lee and Delirious decide enough is enough and just demolish their opponents.

Also scheduled to appear: Go Shiozaki & Eddie Edwards with Larry Sweeney; Roderick Strong; Erick Stevens; Kenny King plus more to be announced!!!

Going Home

Ringtones

Michael Chadwick writes in about Gabe Sapolsky’s future:

I had a question regarding Gabe that I haven’t seen really spoken about. I know the immediate talk would be the potential/possibility of him going to TNA or WWE, but I’m more interested in what indy company he would go with and how that would affect the landscape. Imagine if he began booking for CZW or JAPW, two companies that were at one point on level ground with ROH. Doesn’t it motivate one these promotors to give him full or partial creative control?

I mean, even in a short term, worst case scenario, the excitement on the net about Gabe booking for another promotion would see a temporary spike in ticket and video sales. Also, he would probably have access to certain talents by his name as well as the connections he has made booking for ROH the last six years. I was curious of your thoughts on this. Also, looking at a more conservative outlook, if Gabe were to book for another company and put together a decent roster (which, assumingly, on the whole would be below ROH’s quality), how long before it could compete with ROH?

You bring up some valid points about how Gabe’s experience and connections would help any independent promotion, but I don’t think Gabe’s name by himself attached to a promotion would automatically ensure success. I think a lot of the success or failure would come about from the talent he has to work with, how fresh he is with ideas and the extent to which the indie company he worked for would be willing to lay out the money to spread the word and advertise their promotion. If he doesn’t have good workers to back up his storylines, it may as well just be fine to do a You Tube wrestling figure promotion. If he doesn’t have the company willing to bankroll an extended promotional campaign, then he could book McGuinness vs. Danielson and it could likely only do the numbers many ROH detractors like to spout in their jokes regarding ROH as an indie company. Lastly, an independent company who took Gabe on as booker, if all goes right, could definitely make a name for themselves but it would likely take upwards of two years if not more to compete with ROH head on as far as talent and quality of matches. However, since Gabe has stated a few times now that he is not going to TNA or WWE, and is stepping away from FIP booking (which if anywhere is where he could have hoped to challenge ROH’s presence on the independent scene), I don’t expect him to take the reigns of any indie company any time soon.

Oh Jesus! Let’s hope that this awful Rhett Titus footage is not indicative of ROH’s new direction. That was easily the worst ROH video EVER! If ROH heads in this sports entertainment direction it’s surely doomed and will be absolutely crucified by the SMARKS. TNA would be embarrassed by that footage.

Posted By: chikaraking (Guest) on November 01, 2008 at 05:58 PM

SEZE here. Long time ROH fan and avid pot smoker. And I’ve gotta say that the Rhett Titus video was………..FUCKIN’ HILARIOUS! I read the comments before watching it and expected it to suck, but that was pretty datdam funny! Rhett Titus just gained another fan.

Posted By: SEZE (Guest) on November 02, 2008 at 10:57 AM

Well…so long as it sticks to the undercard I won’t be too upset by these sorts of character vignettes. I was definitely taken aback by that video, especially the large amounts of man-ass in there… had to turn away from that…but as far as a hype video that gets over the character, well that is about what I would expect for Rhett Titus. I don’t think we’d be seeing this segment if it was Grizzly Redwood, but you know what? I wouldn’t mind a segment where he tried to go lumberjacking and for instance, couldn’t chop down a tree no matter how hard he tried. That’s funny to me. But I’d stop at a blue ox.

Rance’s finish is brutal.

Posted By: Jeff (Guest) on November 02, 2008 at 04:59 PM

That’s what she said.

I find it very strange that there seems to be a 2 month gap in title defences going on here. Nigel was defending the title like 2-4 times a month, now a 2 month absense on both the World and Tag titles…strange.

Posted By: Curtis (Guest) on November 04, 2008 at 03:38 PM

Although, now Nigel is on a frenzy of defenses, four of them in November alone. I think the tour to NOAH obviously accounts for the stretch in between defenses, but even still, spacing out title defenses isn’t a terrible thing so long as there are other grudges and strong quality matches to ameliorate those absences.

I think the product does need a bit of a slowdown. There are too many times during an ROH show where an impressive move or spot is performed and fans barely have time to cheer or acknowledge before the match has already transitioned to the next move or spot. More time for the fans to be apart of the show means less need for the moves and high spots.

Posted By: Heel Heat (Guest) on November 02, 2008 at 02:31 AM

I’m also all for a slow down and letting the moves count…but again, not if they’re the kinds of matches like Hero vs. Stevens from Night of the Butcher II. The finish to that match—a powerslam off the top was fine, in fact it made sense even though it wasn’t what you would normally expect for a finish between those two. However, in that match you have some pretty annoying chop and forearm exchanges along the lines of what you are saying. Then you have Shiozaki vs. Albright which ended up being a near trainwreck, sloppy and slow with many rest holds and uninspiring action. There needs to be a happy medium, for everything.

As far as the length of shows, it seems that ROH is shortening them, with last night’s first half being only about 75 minutes down from about an hour and a half which is the usual average, and having quicker intermissions, but longer main events. We shall see if that continues.

The Independent Buy In: 2008

**CHIKARA “Cibernetico & Robin” (Torneo Cibernetico: Kings of Wrestling vs. Dorado’s Luchadores, The Olsen Twins / Cheech & Cloudy, Quackenbush / Donst, The Colony / BLK OUT ) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA “Brusied” (Kingston / Donst, Campeones de Parejas: F.I.S.T. vs. Incoherence / Castagnoli / Taylor, The Colony / Brodie Lee & Olsen Twins, Cheech & Cloudy / Osirian Portal ) High Recommendation
**Pro Wrestling NOAH “Special Budokan Double Shot”7/15 & 9/9/07 (Determination League Semi Finals & Finals, NTV Cup Finals)High Recommendation
**PWG Battle of Los Angeles Night 1 (Castagnoli / Williams, Evans / Pac, Black / Shelley, Aries / Strong, PWG Tag Titles: Generico & Steen / Dragon Kid & Susumu Yokosuka)Medium Recommendation
**PWG Battle of Los Angeles Night 2 (CIMA / Tornado, Steen / Butcher, McGuinness / Richards, Kid / Yokosuka) Low Recommendation
**PWG Battle of Los Angeles Night 3 (the entire show) High Recommendation
**Shimmer Volume 11 (Sarah Stock / MsChif, Sarah Stock / Cheerleader Melissa, Sara Del Rey / Cindy Rogers, Nikki Roxx / Lacey, Daizee Haze / Malia Hosaka, Allison Danger / Hosaka)High Recommendation
**SHIMMER Volume 12 (Del Rey / Lacey, Del Rey / Sarah Stock, Haze / Lacey, Portuguese Princess Ariel / Josie / Nikki Roxx / Portia Perez, Melissa & MsChif / Lexie Fyfe & Hosaka)High Recommendation
**SHIMMER Women’s Athletes Volume 13 (Melissa / Portuguese Princess Ariel, “Dark Angel” Sarah Stock / Daizee Haze, Portia Perez / MsChif, Del Rey & Roxx vs. Rain & Lacey, O’Neal vs. Melissa) Medium Recommendation
**SHIMMER Women’s Athletes Volume 14 (SHIMMER Title: Del Rey / Lacey, Nikki Roxx / Amazing Kong, Two out of Three falls: Allison Danger / Cindy Rogers, Portuguese Princess Ariel / Amber O’Neal) Medium Recommendation
**CHIKARA The Battle of Who Could Care Less (Incoherence & Tim Donst / BLK OUT, Claudio Castagnoli & Equinox / Hero & Hawke, Lince Dorado & Pantera / Olsen Twins, Quackenbush & The Colony / F.I.S.T. / Osirian Portal) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA The Sordid Perils of Everyday Existence (Campeones de Parejas: Incoherence / Cheech & Cloudy, Lucha de Apresta: Chris Hero / Equinox, F.I.S.T., Ellis, Ryder / Quack / Donst / Super Smash Bros.) Medium Recommendation
**CHIKARA Chapter 11 (Hallowicked / Kingston, Colony / Super Smash Brothers & Shane Storm, Tex-Arkana Title Match: Alvarez / Sweeney, Quack, Trik Davis & Helios / Shayne Hawke & The Osirian Portal, MIYAWAKI, Hasegawa & Pantera / Cheech & Cloudy & Delirious) High Recommendation
**SHIMMER Women’s Athletes Volume 15 (SHIMMER Title: Sara Del Rey / Amazing Kong, Daizee Haze / Sara Stock, Cheerleader Melissa / Alexa Thatcher, Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew / Ariel & Josie, Sereena Deeb / Jetta) High Recommendation
**SHIMMER Women’s Athletes Volume 16 (SHIMMER Title Two Out of Three Falls: Sara Del Rey / Sara Stock, Amazing Kong / Cheerleader Melissa, Daizee Haze MsChif & Eden Black / Lacey, Rain & Jetta, Portia Perez & Nicole Matthews / Ariel & Josie, Sereena Deeb / Jetta) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA Two Eyebrows Are Better Than One (Castagnoli, Lince Dorado & Ophidian / Quackenbush, Donst & Amasis, Kingston / Storm, Colony / F.I.S.T., Moravian Greyhound / Zombie Plantain / Hydra)Medium Recommendation
**CHIKARA King of Trios Night One (Colony / Go, Nakazawam Shimizu, Osirian Portal & Mecha Mummy / Quackenbush, Storm & Skayde, Cheech & Cloudy & M.C. KZ / Quackenbush, Storm & Skayde, Delirious, Hallowicked & Helios / The Cartel) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA King of Trios Night Two (Player Uno, Stupified & El Generico / Cannon & North Star Express, Lince, Pantera & Incognito / Los Ice Creams & Glacier, Sweet & Sour Inc. / F.I.S.T. & Taylor, Donst, Gulak & Sumner / Fabulous Three / ) Medium Recommendation
**CHIKARA King of Trios Night Three (KOT Quarter, Semi Finals & Finals, Tag Team Gauntlet) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA Deuces Wild (NWA Jr. Heavyweight Title: Mike Quackenbush / El Pantera, UltraMantis Black / Tim Donst, Young Lions Cup: Helios / Lince Dorado, Colony / Osirian Portal, Robbie Ellis / Ice Cream Jr.) Medium Recommendation
**CHIKARA Passion and Persistence (Brodie Lee / Claudio Castagnoli, Campeones de Parejas: Incoherence / F.I.S.T., Quackenbush, Shane Storm, Cheech & Cloudy / Mitch Ryder & Shayne Hawke, Larry Sweeney & Robbie Ellis, Hydra / Chuck Taylor)High Recommendation
**CHIKARA Grit & Glory (Castagnoli, Sonjay Dutt & Pantera / Quackenbush, Jorge Rivera & Turbo, Campeones de Parejas: Incoherence / Osirian Portal, Storm / Kingston, Vin Gerard/ Lince Dorado, Colony / Fabulous Three, Hydra & Tim Donst / Super Smash Brothers, Gran Akuma / PSYCHO, Daizee Haze & Chuck Taylor / Sara Del Ray & Bobby Dempsey)High Recommendation
**CHIKARA AniversarioMA (Atomicos Increibles: Mike Quackenbush, Cheech, Stupified & Worker Ant / Cloudy, Player Uno, Soldier Ant & Shane Storm, Brodie Lee, Mitch Ryder & Shayne Hawke / Incoherence & Claudio Castagnoli, Chuck Taylor & Gran Akuma / Turbo & Lince Dorado, El Pantera vs. Jorge Rivera , Osirian Portal / 2.0) Medium Recommendation
**CHIKARA AniversarioCT (Osirian Portal / Shane Storm & Mike Quackenbush, Super Smash Bros. / Cheech & Cloudy, Hydra & Tim Donst / Los Ice Creams, F.I.S.T. / The Colony, Brodie Lee / Claudio Castagnoli) High Recommendation
**FIP Cage of Pain II (Cage of Pain II, Roderick Strong/Larry Sweeney, Delirious & Hallowicked & Jigsaw/BxB Hulk & YAMATO & Jack Evans, Erick Stevens/Necro Butcher) High Recommendation
**FIP Redefined (Erick Stevens/Roderick Strong in their best encounter in FIP or ROH, Austin Aries/Davey Richards, Nigel McGuinness/Necro Butcher, Shawn Murphey/Heartbreak Express, Sal Rinauro/Tyler Black) High Recommendation
**CZW Deja Vu 3 (No Rope Barbed Wire Match: JC Bailey/Necro Butcher, El Generico/Super Dragon, B-Boy/Nate Webb, Ruckus & Mike Quackenbush/Kings of Wrestling) High Recommendation
**SHIMMER Volume 17 (Sara Del Rey & Allison Danger / MsChif & Cheerleader Melissa, Lacey / Sara Stock, Mercedes Martinez / Wesna Busic, Amazing Kong / Ariel, Daizee Haze / Cindy Rogers) High Recommendation
**SHIMMER Volume 18 (Amazing Kong / Wesna Busic, SHIMMER Title: Sara Del Rey / MsChif, Cheerleader Melissa / Sara Stock, Mercedes Martinez / Cindy Rogers, Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew / Ashley Lane & Nevaeh) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA Young Lions Cup VI Night 1 (Fabulous Three / The Colony, YLC Semi Final Six Way Elimination, Sami Calahan / Vin Gerard, Jimmy Olsen / Stupefied, Amasis / Ultimo Breakfast) (NEW ADDITION) Medium Recommendation
**CHIKARA Young Lions Cup VI Night 2 (YLC Semi Final Six Way Elimination, Storm & Quackenbush / Super Smash Brothers, Worker Ant / Chip Day, Johnny Gargano / Marshe Rocket, Neo Solar Temple / Soul Touchaz, Ophidian / Turtle ) (NEW ADDITION) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA Young Lions Cup VI Night 3 (YLC Finals: Fire Ant / Vin Gerard, Brodie Lee / Drake Younger, Eddie Kingston / Soldier Ant, Osirian Portal / Bobby Dempsey & Sara Del Rey, Fabulous Three / Soul Touchaz, Jimmy Olsen / Lince Dorado) (NEW ADDITION) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA Tragedy & Triumph (No DQ: Brodie Lee / Castagnoli, Vin Gerard / Fire Ant, Storm / Quackenbush, Eddie Kingston / Lince Dorado, Osirian Portal & F.I.S.T. / Super Smash Brothers & The Colony) (NEW ADDITION) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA La Loteria Letal (Vin Gerard vs. Colin Delaney / Mike Quackenbush & Pinkie Sanchez, Larry Sweeney & Claudio Castagnoli / Pinkie Sanchez & Mike Quackenbush, Icarus & Ultimo Breakfast / Tim Donst & Helios, Lince Dorado & Jimmy Olsen / Shane Storm & Eddie Kingston , Colin Delaney & Vin Gerard / Mitch Ryder & Halcom Guerrero, Icarus & Ultimo Breakfast / Lince Dorado & Jimmy Olsen)(NEW ADDITION) High Recommendation
**CHIKARA Style & Substance (Cage Match: Claudio Castagnoli / Brodie Lee, F.I.S.T. / The Colony, Vin Gerard & STIGMA / Mike Quackenbush & Tim Donst, Osirian Portal / Cheech & Cloudy, Kingston / Dorado, The Best Around & Order Of The Neo Solar Temple / Hydra, Helios & Incoherence ) (NEW ADDITION) High Recommendation

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

Get With the pROHgram:

November 14th, 2008: ROH Driven 2008 premiers on Pay Per View with Age of the Fall vs. Steen & Generico for the ROH World Tag Team Titles.

November 22nd, 2008—Chicago Ridge, IL: ROH presents Rising Above 2008 (continuing a third brand name for their PPV series) with Nigel McGuinness vs. Bryan Danielson for the ROH World Title and Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Jacobs in an “I Quit” match, plus Samoa Joe in a DVD bonus match.

December 5th & 6th, 2008—St. Louis & Nashville: Two important debuts for ROH as they finish a year of expansion into new cities.

ROH @ 411

411 Buy or Sell looks at this weekend’s ROH shows in Canada as well as fallout from PWG’s Battle of Los Angeles tournament

The 411 ROH Roundtable Preview for Montreal and Toronto, in the nick of time.

Mathew Sforcina concludes his look at the evolution of SHIMMER in this week’s Schematic.

Honor Bound Links

Mike Chin tells us why WCW was so important.

Bayani Domingo has a mic check 1-2 in this week’s Truth B Told.

Michael Weyer spotlights Halloween Havoc…just after the stagecoach turned into a pumpkin.

Ryan Byers excoriates Scott Keith’s new book.

Chris Lansdell cocks a doodle do.

Well, I won’t top that one, so this is where we say our goodbyes until next time. ROH Driven 2008 thoughts next week as well as results from Toronto and the next round of CHIKARA vs. ROH. See everyone then!

BROOKLYN! PRINCE NANA, EH!!!
–Ari–