Column of Honor: 04.19.08: One Steen Nation, Under God, Indivisble

A huge word of thanks to many, many compliments I received for the piece on Jimmy Jacobs that I wrote in last week’s edition. By a wide majority, people “got” what I was trying to say about the character and really dug it. There was a message last week that another guy questioned my emotional stability (which as a wrestling fan, is always in question anyway), but hey, what can you do?

I work in a public high school, so believe me I know what I’m talking about when it comes to considering stages of development and people not being ready for uncertain futures. Luckily for me I have a steady paying (although sometimes very frustrating and challenging in terms of my sanity) job teaching the youth of America. You should see me using Mick Foley as an example of dramatic monologue or comparing a fictional character’s power and leverage in a book to Randy Orton, John Cena and Triple H being able to call their shots back during the build up to Wrestlemania 24.

And yes, the kids are still down with John Cena. Especially the teenage girls.

No long feature column today, as it’s Passover and unfortunately that means I have responsibilities with the family that preclude me doing so. Kevin Steen fans should be happy though. Plus, I still have plenty of updates including results from last night in Detroit, ROH going to Canada and a preview of tonight’s show in Chi-town. Let’s get to it!

Welcome to the Column.

Ring Toss
-One Steen Nation
-ROH Results: April 12th in Edison, NJ
-ROH Results: “Tag Wars 2008” April 18th in Detroit, MI
-ROH Call
-ROH News: ROH to Canada
-Honorarium
-ROH Preview: April 19th in Chicago Ridge, IL
-Name That Tune
-Ringtones
-Independent Buy In
-ROH @ 411
-Honor Bound Links

One Steen Nation, Under God, Indivisible

He’s crude, sometimes rude. He is often times overbearing and he has a mean streak a mile long. He’s hardly the most well built or handsome wrestler in the world (but his Ma might tell you different), but good goddamit, he’s become one of the most popular wrestlers in Ring of Honor these days.

Kevin Steen is at a peak in his career right now in terms of popularity and in ring prowess. After tonight he will have been in the main event World Title match in two of the last four Ring of Honor shows. He has dominated the competition in Ring of Honor, with only two losses throughout the first four months of Ring of Honor action. He’s racked wins up against such bulls of the ring as Necro Butcher and Brent Albright. He’s even defeated ROH legend “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson, by using, get this–his scientific wrestling ability! “Mr. Wrestling” has indeed been impressive in his wrestling ability, but its more than the Package Piledriver and the Steenshooter that has attracted fans to him. If he was to be featured in a TV show it would be called Everyone Loves Kevin. It wouldn’t be that far off from the truth either.

The reception he gets from the crowd is wild. People really get into the persona he portrays—that of a brash glory hog who just so happens to be sticking up for the right principles at the moment. He may like to pick on his often time tag partner El Generico—but if anyone else dares to touch the masked Canadian luchador, Steen is right there to back them off, or, beat the holy hell out of them. In between playing the do-gooder, Steen often takes time to mug for the camera or to lay a verbal browbeating on his opponents. It’s funny, entertaining and really sucks you in as a viewer.

It’s very reminiscent of how Steve Austin and The Rock got over with the fans. Or even a young CM Punk in Ring of Honor. Portray yourself as cool, confident and as an ass kicker, and people will follow. Wrestling fans love to live vicariously through wrestlers who are bad ass and who can get the job done. Steen has shown the moxie and the resolve to do just that, though he doesn’t have the proof yet in terms of a championship win.

That is not to say that Steen is completely altruistic. He knows that the best thing for his career is to win, but not just to win, to win championship gold. In a way, that’s what he always had his sights on ever since he returned to action for Ring of Honor in early 2007. He fought tooth and nail against The Briscoes many a time in order to snatch away the ROH World Tag Team Titles. He hit them with everything but the kitchen sink in that feud, although usually it was a ladder. The wars between the two teams toughened both The Briscoes and Steen himself in the process. Steen has been aiming high and blowing through anyone in his way to get there, whether it is teaming up with El Generico for a shot at the tag titles, or acting on his vow to win a title sometime in 2008 with two title matches against Nigel McGuinness.

Steen’s charisma has sucked in a ton of fans, starting a “Steen Nation” of sorts. It’s just what the doctor ordered to galvanize the ROH fans around someone who they feel can take out current ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness. The fans like Steen a lot and most do not like McGuinness; that is certainly enough right now for the Steen Nation to back their man up as he attempts to win the ROH World Title from the despotic champion.

ROH Results: 04/12/08 from Edison, NJ

Matches
Pre Show:
– Michael Nakazawa defeats Alex Sugarfoot Payne

Main Show:
-El Generico defeated Jack Evans via pinfall with a brainbuster off the top turnbuckle.
-Jigsaw defeated Mitch Franklin via pinfall with the Jig ‘N’ Tonic.
-The team of Sweet n Sour Inc. of Eddie Edwards & Chris Hero defeated the team of Erick Stevens & Pelle Primeau via pinfall after Hero knocked out Pelle with a roaring elbow.
-Brent Albright defeated Delirious via submission with the crowbar.
-Necro Butcher defeated FIP Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong in a non title match via pinfall due to the outside interference of Erick Stevens using a Doctorbomb on Strong through a table.
-Claudio Castagnoli defeated Kota Ibushi via pinfall with the Riccola Bomb.
-ROH World Champion Nigel McGuiness retained the title by defeating challenger Kevin Steen via pinfall with a roll up while holding onto the ropes out of the line of sight of the referee.
-Jay and Mark Briscoe defeated The No Remorse Corps of Davey Richards & Rocky Romero to become the NEW ROH World Tag Team champions for a record fifth time. Jay used the Jay Driller on Rocky and then Jay & Mark used the springboard Doomsday Device for the pinfall on Richards.

Angles & Issues

-Jacked Up: Jack was reported to need help out of the ring after his match against El Generico, but there has been no follow up since then on any injuries.

-Punked Out: After the Generico match, ROH World champion Nigel McGuiness came out to the ring and brought back El Generico. He had a message for his challenger for the night in Kevin Steen and the proceeded to level Generico with a lariat and put on the London Dungeon submission. Steen rushes out but Nigel is gone. Steen proceed to discuss why he is a man of the people and why the fans hate Nigel.

-No More Sweet: Chris Hero claims he is done being funny and being the comic relief of the show. Hero threatens to kick out Dempsey from the Inc. Then he proceeds to do one of more heat inducing beat downs of Dempsey ever, complete with beating him down until he bleeds.

-Over a Foggy Haze: Delirious was prone after the losing the match to Albright and Larry Sweeney was demanding more punishment from Albright. Daizee Haze came out to the ring and covers Delirious to protect him from any further beating. Sweeney demanded Albright to break her arm instead. Albright leaves in frustration without doing so and Sweeney chases him to the back.

-Sytch Position: Tammy Sytch is out to confront Lacey, who is not at the building. Instead, Larry Sweeney once again makes his presence known on this show and has SHIMMER champion Sara Del Rey in tow. Sweeney wants Tammy to turn Del Rey into a diva. Del Rey takes offense and says she’s a wrestler and not a diva. She walks out; nonetheless Sweeney offers Tammy a position as The Inc.’s Diva expert. Sytch mulls the offer and leaves without accepting or declining.

-Doesn’t React Well to Setbacks: After the loss to Nigel via cheap circumstances, Kevin Steen had a massive fit of anger, including throwing chairs and confronting ROH President Cary Silkin on the outside as to whether or not he saw Nigel cheat to win. Steen is held back by the locker room and pulled slowly to the back. Meanwhile Nigel has words for Claudio and Claudio turns around and comes back into the ring. He asks for a title shot at Hammerstein. Nigel scoffs at him, telling him he hasn’t proven anything to Nigel yet and the answer was no.

Return Date: October 25th, 2008

ROH Results: “Tag Wars 2008” 04/18/08 from Detroit, MI

Matches

Pre-Show:
-Nate Mattson defeated “Sugarfoot” Alex Payne.

Main Show:
-The team of Mitch Franklin, Pelle Primeau & Ernie Osiris defeated The team of “Unreal” Mike Elgin, Danny Daniels and Michael Nakazawa. Pelle pinned Elgin.
-Silas Young defeated Rhett Titus via pinfall with a moonsault variation.
-Jigsaw defeated Joey Matthews.
-The team of ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness & Claudio Castagnoli defeated the team of Kevin Steen & El Generico. Claudio pinned El Generico after the Riccola Bomb.
-Necro Butcher defeated Delirious in a Falls Count Anywhere match via pinfall with a backbreaker through two chairs set up in the ring.
-The Vulture Squad of Jack Evans & Ruckus defeated the team of Sweet & Sour Inc. of Brent Albright & Chris Hero. Ruckus pinned Hero after a sky twister press.
-ROH World Tag Team Champions Jay & Mark Briscoe defeated Kota Ibushi & Austin Aries in a non title match. spike jaydriller on Ibushi.
-The Age of the Fall of Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black defeated The Motor City Machine Guns of Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin via submission when. Shelley tapped to The End Time guillotine choke by Jacobs.

Angles & Issues

-Pearced In The Night: Adam Pearce was set to take on Silas Young on tonight’s show, with the story being that Young could find himself a roster spot if he defeated Pearce. However, Pearce was not in attendance at the show, thus necessitating a change in the booking.

-Who’s Title?: After the tag match had ended, Claudio Castagnoli decided he should hold up the ROH title in the air for all to see. Nigel, our current champion, did not take kindly to such action and this creates a stare down situation.

-Dempsey back in the fold? Albright still not all right with Sweeney?: It looks like Bobby Dempsey wasn’t exactly “kicked out” of Sweet & Sour Inc. last week after all, as he showed up accompanying Hero to the ring for his match, even though Dempsey took a major beating including a blood letting from Hero and company at last week’s show in Edison. Stockholm Syndrome I suppose. On the other hand, Larry Sweeney argued with Brent Albright after the tag match against The Vulture Squad. Albright motioned as if threatening to hit him but he decided not to do so and instead leaves the premises.

-Clarification, of a Sort: After Aries’ match, ROH commentator / interviewer Dave Prazak decided to ask the really tough questions of the man who disappeared for a week with Lacey. Prazak wanted to know what went down, but Aries wouldn’t talk. Instead, Lacey comes out through the crowd and then makes out with Aries! Woah boy, Jacobs isn’t going to be happy about this one… but Aries and Lacey were all smiles as they left the ringside area.

-Falling Into Trash: After the Age of the Fall won their main event match against the Motor City Machine Guns, fans reportedly threw garbage into the ring to express their hatred of AotF. I believe this was the first time fans threw trash into the ring since the Summer of Punk shows.

Return Date: July 2008

ROH Call

ROH Champions—As of 04/19/2008

ROH World Champion—Nigel McGuinness (champion since 10/06/07, 12 successful defenses)
–defeated Takeshi Morishima in Edison, New Jersey to win the championship.

Next Defense:: vs. Kevin Steen, Chicago Ridge, IL 04/19/08

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)

**

ROH World Tag Team Champions—Jay & Mark Briscoe (champions since 04/12/08, NEW CHAMPIONS)
–defeated No Remorse Corps (Davey Richards & Rocky Romero) in Edison, NJ to win the championship.

Next Defense: vs. TBA, Manassas, VA 05/09/08

**

Sweet & Sour Incorporated Presents The Intergender Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Of The World —Chris Hero & Sara Del Rey (champions since 01/12/08, 2 successful defenses)
Status Unknown since Del Rey has left Sweet & Sour Inc. as of 3/14/08

V.1 defeated Ernie Osiris & Alexa Thatcher (01/12/08, Edison, NJ)
V.2 defeated Kyle Durden & Alex “Sugarfoot” Payne (01/26/08, Chicago Ridge, IL)

**

FIP Heavyweight Champion: Roderick Strong (since 02/16/2008)
-defeated Erick Stevens via count out to win the title (FIP title can change hands on count out)
SHIMMER Champion: Sara Del Rey (since 6/2/2007)
Top of the Class Trophy (For ROH Students): Ernie Osiris (since 11/02/2007)

**

Top Feuds & Pairings:
-Nigel McGuinness defends the belt against top contenders
–Nigel McGuinness vs. Kevin Steen
–Nigel McGuinness vs. Claudio Castagnoli
–Motor City Machine Guns invade ROH this weekend.
-The Age of the Fall vs. The Briscoes
-Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. No Remorse Corps
-Erick Stevens vs. Roderick Strong
-Austin Aries & Age of the Fall / Lacey vs. Sunny
-Sweet & Sour Inc. “Corporate Takeover”

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

ROH to Run in Canada in Summer 2008

Let the jokes about 36 tickets sold to the show commence.

You think I’m kidding…

Expected Attendance: 36

Posted By: Westen (Guest) on April 19, 2008 at 02:36 AM

Anyway, news broke at last night’s show in Detroit that for the first time ROH WILL run a show in the Great White North this summer, July 25th in Toronto to be exact. No specific venue has been named, but it would be easy speculation to guess this show would also be paired with another one in Canada during the weekend.

This will mark the third new area ROH will run in 2008 along with Florida and Virginia.

Top Three Matches Announced for Hammerstein Ballroom Debut

The first three matches for the 5/10 Hammerstein Ballroom debut in Manhattan will now be announced. GHC Heavyweight Champion Takeshi Morishima and Bryan Danielson were given a chance to pick each other’s poison. They have selected each other’s opponents for the card. Morishima has decided to match Danielson up against a man that has held every title in NOAH. It will be Danielson vs. Naomichi Marufuji in a battle of two of the best that ROH and NOAH has to offer. These two met in 2005 at ROH’s “Final Battle 2005” event, but they have each matured and gotten so much better. This one has the makings of a classic.

Danielson has gone a different route with Morishima’s opponent. He wants someone that can beat Morishima up. 5/10 in NYC will see a first time ever battle of the brawlers as Takeshi Morishima fights The Necro Butcher. OUCH!

Danielson vs. Marufuji and Morishima vs. Necro already bring two unique, different matches to 5/10 in Manhattan. Now one of ROH’s hottest feuds will come to the Hammerstein Ballroom, but with a different twist. Just signed for 5/10 is FIP World Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong vs. Erick Stevens vs. Go Shiozaki. Since either Strong or Stevens will walk into the Hammerstein as FIP Champion after their 4/26 Crystal River, FL match, the FIP Title will be on the line in this one fall three way.

Although it wasn’t outright said, it can be easily deduced that the much anticipated rematch between Takeshi Morishima and Bryan Danielson was rejected by NOAH officials. Morishima is the new GHC Heavyweight Champion and don’t want their champion to look back by losing to an American wrestler at this time, especially a junior heavyweight. That is exactly what would need to be done to bring closure to this feud, as the ROH crowd is almost salivating for Danielson to win one cleanly over Morishima in their final face off. If ROH can’t deliver that result right now it looks like they won’t deliver Morishima vs. Danielson at all. Another example of how the politics of international wrestling exchanges can get in the way of what fans want to see.

So instead we get the “pick your rival’s opponents” challenge and all I’m hoping is that no storm blows through New York that night because the last time something like this was supposed to go down in ROH Long Island was submerged in snow and the booking got all torn around.

The consolation prize is Morishima vs. Necro Butcher, as that is another match fans have talked up as one they would like to see. The two big men going at it in a brawl scenario will likely bring the house down in NYC. Meanwhile Danielson and Marufuji can provide a terrific and athletic match against each other. This will be a rematch of Marufuji’s debut in ROH, when Danielson retained the ROH World title at Final Battle 2005. Both men have improved even more since then and I’m sure the match will benefit from both being smarter and more experienced in the ring.

It seems like NYC cannot get away from Strong vs. Stevens, as that combination will now be featured on three consecutive shows. These two do have chemistry against each other and bring very realistic brutality and action, but I’m hoping we get resolution on the issue soon. Go Shiozaki is in the “Necro Butcher” role of being the third ingredient in the match but is a good fit because he can exchange stiff as heck chops with Strong and go power for power with Stevens. The NYC crowd really took to him as well in that neo-classic against Aries this past February, so I’m expect a good reception and a memorable match out of all three.

Add in a Nigel vs. Claudio title match and you’re looking at one of the most stacked top tiers for a New York show since Glory By Honor V Night Two. In fact, this sort of reminds me of ROH’s first debut in New York at the New Yorker, where every match was booked just right and became a part of a great overall package. I think with a well booked lower card this show could be as impressive as Manhattan Mayhem I.

Main Events Announced for Virginia

ROH is set for the debut in Manassas, VA on May 9th. Can ROH be successful going down South? It is up to the fans of the area to decide by going to the event. The first match has been signed and it is a big one. Bryan Danielson will wrestle Tyler Black at ROH’s Virginia debut!!!

The main event for the 5/9 Manassas, VA debut has been signed and it is unlike any match in ROH history. Things have looked shaky lately for the No Remorse Corps of Roderick Strong, Rocky Romero & Davey Richards. Strong insists that the group will rebound and be stronger than ever. He wants the toughest challenge possible. For the first time in the United States, three NOAH stars will team up. ROH is heading south with Strong, Romero & Richards vs. GHC Heavyweight Champion Takeshi Morishima, Naomichi Marufuji & Go Shiozaki. Six man tags don’t get any bigger than this!!!

The Briscoes will make their first defense of the belts on 5/9 in Virginia.

Danielson vs. Black is a rematch of what some fans were referring to as Black’s “breakout” match. I was certainly impressed by him in that one and thought it was definitely a must see, but I don’t know if breakout is the right word for it. I think what the match did was show the fans the potential that Black has going for him for the future in ROH. Aside from the PPV taping and the title match against McGuinness, he is in the main event of shows as part of the Age of the Fall and not by himself at this moment. That said, this match is a good “get” for the Virginia crowd, because if this one is anything like their first match, then fans will get the value for their ticket.

The NRC certainly bit off more than they can chew this time around. Not to mention that they have never done well against international competition in six man tags such as this, they will be facing the GHC Champion and former ROH World Champion in Morishima. That is never an easy task. I expect the NOAH contingent to be huge hits with the crowd and provide huge hits to the head and body of Strong, Richards and Romero.

The Briscoes’ first defense of this new title run will be in Virginia, which is a unique selling point. It has been brought up by Samuel Berman among others that The Age fof the Fall had a much harder go of it coming off their title win, having to defend the title in two Ultimate Endurance matches. The Briscoes fight in two non title matches this weekend and then it’s another two weeks before their first title defense. Maybe The Age of the Fall’s claims of bias towards The Briscoes has legs.

Fair Warning

The office voicemail of Sweet & Sour Inc. has a new message saying that reality TV star Jonny Fairplay will be Larry Sweeney’s guest at the 5/10 Manhattan event. Sweeney teases on the voicemail message that Fairplay will be bringing other celebrities from the Survivor TV show. There is no telling who Fairplay will bring to Manhattan.

Everyone hates Fairplay and these Survivor “cast offs”, so this may in fact be the ticket to get Sweeney massively booed by the NYC crowd. You know, many people are expecting Fairplay to be destroyed by an ROH wrestler again, but what if Fairplay and Sweeney get the one-up this time? I think that would anger the fans tremendously, which would certainly help get “the right kind of heat” for Sweet & Sour Inc.

ROH Home Theatre

Age of the Fall: Jimmy Jacobs on April 15th, 2008

ROH Videowire: April 16th, 2008

AND NOW…WITNESS THE AWESOMENESS THAT IS ADAM PEARCE…TEXAS RANGER!

Honorarium

-Seriously, that Adam Pearce promo—freaking awesome. Pearce’s comedy is highly under looked and under appreciated in ROH, and maybe instead of being ultra serious heel, he should instead go the other way and use his sense of humor to get over.

-I didn’t see much wrestling this week, so no “Fave 5” feature this time around.

-So I guess somebody was right about Jacobs’ thoughts going back to “the girl” after all.

-And now, once and for all, Lacey has proven herself to be a total hypocrite when it comes to her bashing Tammy Sytch for using sex and sexuality to get over. Now she has seduced Austin Aries over to Age of the Fall with her body and now she is no different that Sytch in terms of doing anything to get what she wants.

-Now it should be said, I don’t know why Jacobs would have such a problem with this, considering he was all about Allison Wonderland back at “Reckless Abandon” and then he brought Lacey and she brought Black into it. Okay, we never saw anything on screen, but there was some severe innuendo there. If that was acceptable for Jimmy, why isn’t it okay for Lacey to do the same?

-I oftentimes read posts about how Delirious has become a stale character and boring. I couldn’t disagree more with this assessment as far as his in ring wrestling and some of the character traits he brings to the table with the wacky persona. I still get a kick out of the craziness. I think the major problem is that he has been stuck feuding against stables for the better part of two years. He spent two years feuding off and on with Adam Pearce and then by proxy the Hangmen, at some point that gets to be too much. Now Delirious is being transitioned into a feud against another stable in Sweet & Sour Inc. but again he will match up against several of the same wrestlers he’s been booked against over the last year to two years. Now that Albright, Pearce and Hagadorn are a part of The Inc. It’s almost like nothing has changed. The one x-factor is the budding (no pun intended) relationship between Haze and Delirious. I think a lot can be done with that storyline and you can really get a lot of sympathy for Delirious in the development of his feelings for Haze.

-I did briefly tune in to Impact to see the opening segment with Joe’s victory speech. Scott Steiner is still hysterical, although Petey Williams looks very, very scary. And say what you will about Kurt Angle, the man can still look like a bad ass when he’s not in stupid comedy segments. The suit and secret agent glasses look is right on the money for him.

ROH Preview: April 19th, 2008 in Chicago Ridge, IL
Frontier Fieldhouse
7:30 pm belltime
9807 Sayre Ave.
Chicago Ridge, IL 60415

ROH World Title Match
Nigel McGuinness defends vs. Kevin Steen

It didn’t take too long for the rematch to be signed and now Steen gets his second opportunity in two weeks to taste the pinnacle of glory in Ring of Honor. Steen is now even more determined to win, but his temper and his anger may be what gets in the way this time. Nigel McGuinness knows how to get to Steen now and I think he will capitalize by playing mind games and out-thinking him. McGuinness will fluster Steen and take advantage by dissecting Steen’s arm when the opportunity presents itself. Nigel’s brains are a decisive advantage against Steen’s brawn.

If Steen wants to win, he’s going to need to use his emotions to fuel him onwards through the pain and not let them blind him to what’s going on in the ring. Steen has to connect with some of his power moves, including the Steenalizer. He will also need to diversify his moves, using his air attack when Nigel isn’t looking for it. The package piledriver may be enough to win, but Nigel will be looking for it and will likely devise a way to block the move, so Steen better have a back up plan at the ready. At the end of the night, we may see a new ROH World champion crowned, but I think Steen Nation may have to wait a little bit longer.

The Rematch One Year In The Making- Non Title
Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin

A lot of the hype and attention of Shelley & Sabin’s return was on their match against Age of the Fall due to the personal issues against Shelley that Jacobs set forth in his blog and promos. Now that Age of the Fall has won the first match of the Machine Guns’ weekend, Shelley is probably looking at this match as his redemption. Can he and Sabin come back from defeat and avoid being shut out in ROH this weekend? They’ll have to do it against the surging Briscoes, newly crowned ROH World Tag Team champions for the fifth time. Jay & Mark excel in rapid fire double team moves, but that plays right into the Machine Guns game plan. I think it may come down to who is quicker to the draw in this one and who can deliver that final knockout move and take advantage of positioning to get the win.

Dream Match
Kota Ibushi vs. El Generico

Ibushi is still winless on his tour through Ring of Honor and you’d have to think if he wants to win, this is his last and best chance to do so. Generico is a very capable singles performer, but his weakness lies in taking the big hits. Generico has the ability to comeback from a beat down, but a good knock out blow will do him in. Ibushi has that ability in his kicks and will need to use his feet to take out Generico. Meanwhile Mr. Ole will use his yakuza kick in the corner to do the same to Ibushi and then look for the brainbuster for the win. Generico is coming off a win against Jack Evans from last weekend but lost yesterday night. How he responds to defeat may be the key to his performance here.

Six Man Tag Team Match
Jack Evans, Ruckus & Jigsaw vs. Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black & Joey Matthews

History has shown that The Vulture Squad has not done well against Age of the Fall. They’ve lost most of their matches against AotF, although their best win against them was an impressive outing in the main event of the Transform show from this past January. The brawl throughout the building is the main reason to check out that DVD. The problem is that in that match they had the benefit of swooping down when they weren’t expected. This time around both teams are on even ground. Joey Matthews is the third man in the match instead of Necro, which means AoTf may have the edge in technical wrestling but they also lack a power advantage. Age of the Fall might get too cocky and power blind because of their win last night and that may be their undoing.

Four Corner Survival
Daizee Haze vs. Lacey vs. MsChif vs. Ashley Lane

I don’t know too much about Ashley Lane but the rest of the participants in this one are quite familiar. MsChif sometimes gets booked on the Chicago shows for ROH and like I always say, I wish she would become a regular on the roster throughout their whole tour circuit. The main issue as always is Haze vs. Lacey, the Tom & Jerry or Itchy & Scratchy or Laverne & Shirley of the company. Well, maybe not that last one.

Special Attraction
Delirious vs. Chris Hero with Larry Sweeney

In the roundtable picks here at 411, I had called for the upset by Delirious against Hero, but with Sweet & Sour losing in the tag match last night to the V-Squad, I’m thinking that the upset potential is now very slim to none. Expect shenanigans, expect cheating from Hero, expect a Haze run in and either she or Delirious may suffer as a result of it.

Tag Team Attraction
Claudio Castagnoli & Pelle Primeau vs. Brent Albright & Adam Pearce with Larry Sweeney

It should be noted that Pearce was not at the show last night in Detroit and there has been no word on whether he will be at the Chi Ridge show, so this match may end up being changed. Castagnoli is on a huge roll as he is likely being built up to a ROH World title match in Manhattan on May 10th. Unfortunately, he is outpowered in this one as Pelle just can’t match up to either Sweet & Sour’s fellows in terms of size and strength. I’m interested to see where the Albright frustrations are going, and maybe he isn’t long for The Inc. after all. I wonder if that will have any bearing on the outcome of this match? That said, unless something is done with Albright’s anger issues with Sweeney, I see the heels taking it in this one.

Plus much more to be signed with: Austin Aries; The Necro Butcher; Silas Young and others!!!

Going Home

Name That Tune Week 31

Clue: leisure suit
Lyric:“If you want to know / How I really feel / Get the cameras rollin'”

This week’s NTT provoke a much stronger response than usual. No shutout this week as many of you understood that this song was “More, More, More” about Larry Sweeney than you might hope to hear. Andrea True Connection provided the theme song How was right on the money this week?

This Week’s Winners (listed in order of entry)
-Mark Salms
-premiumblandrew
-soulpower
-Holski: I actually liked it better when he came out to “Rock and Roll Part 2” by Gary Glitter. Hell, why not go back to it now that they’ve both been involved in “sex scandals?”
-Jay 2K Winger-

Congrats to this week’s winners and thanks for playing. Now its time for Name that Tune! for this week, April 19th, 2008!

Clue: goes both ways.
Lyric: “I’ve been too long, I’m glad to be back.”

What’s the name of the song and the artist?

Send in your answers here and if you’re correct I’ll list your name in next week’s column!

Ringtones

Jay 2K Winger brings forth an epic letter this week:

Excellent work on the Jimmy Jacobs analysis. Almost an ‘Evolution Schematic’ when you think about it.

I had heard about the presence of Dixie, Homicide, and Daniels at the Boston show, which had been something of a surprise — at least when it comes to Dixie being there. I saw Homicide in attendance for ‘Glory By Honor VI, Night 1’ in Philly last November, so I know that TNA guys who came through ROH still drop by to pay a visit now and then. Dixie, though, I hadn’t expected. Maybe she was scouting the ‘competition,’ as it were, maybe contemplating more wrestlers to sign away to TNA and give crappy gimmicks to.

Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a great opportunity for wrestlers to go to TNA, but TNA has become something of a joke to a lot of wrestling fans. The X-Division is a mess, there are feuds that Will Not End like Eric Young versus Robert Roode, or Eric Young versus Black Reign and Rellik (That’s Killer Spelled Backwards!), or Booker T versus Robert Roode. Tag-team partners do not get along, Sonjay Dutt was turned from the moderately entertaining ‘Original Playa From The Himalaya’ into ‘The Guru,’ which failed to get me interested in the slightest. (Although maybe the impending heel turn will spice things up.) Jay Lethal, at least, was given an actual gimmick, and to his credit he’s pulled off the Macho Man impression very well. Shark Boy, for all that he can do a good Stone Cold, seems derivative.

Worst of all, Samoa Joe was gradually changed from the unstoppable bad-ass who destroyed everything in his path (remember the ‘Joe’s Gonna Kill You’ chant?) into an easily duped dummy who balks at title matches because he wants a ‘contract with more money than Kurt Angle’s getting’ and whose World Title reign is at least a year late in coming.

Oh, and don’t even get me started on Kurt Angle.

But, hey, I should be talking about ROH, not TNA. And I’ve gotten sidetracked.

I have no problem with Dixie Carter attending an ROH show, especially if she takes away some lessons on how to run an entertaining and well-rounded wrestling show. But what really struck me from one of the articles I read about the incident was that ROH offered to comp the tickets for the TNA people, and they refused, and wanted to pay for the tickets. That strikes me as a class act, so kudos to her for doing the right thing there. I think she had to know she was going to be seen as ‘the enemy,’ and insisting on paying for her tickets instead of ‘getting in for free’ would probably give her a little bit of goodwill with some ROH fans. (Not the hardcore, rabid ‘ROH RULEZ ALL OTHER COMPANYS SUX I WANNA REFUND CUZ NIGEL COULDN’T WRESTLE’ ones, perhaps, but the more level-headed ones, sure.)

One last thought before I go, and forgive me for a little fantasy booking. On one of the wrestling message boards I frequent, someone started waxing nostalgic about The Embassy, and Prince Nana. Before long, he and others (including myself) were calling for the return of Prince Nana, if only for one possibility:

The prospect of a promo-war between Larry Sweeney (backing Sweet & Sour Inc.) and Prince Nana (backing his new Embassy) would be too awesome to pass up, especially with the two of them standing on opposite sides of a ring, managing their chosen clients (or crown jewels). I remember how hilarious it was to see Nana and Julius Smokes throwing down and threatening to cut loose on the other, seeing Sweeney pitching a fit because of Nana’s tactics (or vice versa) would be a sight to see.

It’ll probably never happen, as I don’t know what Nana’s up to, or even if he wants to come back to ROH (or if ROH wants him back at this stage), but it would still be ten kinds of awesome.

Well, you may in part be right about Dixie’s intentions for coming to the show, but it would be hard to sign away ROH talent when they are currently under contract. I do think ROH and TNA are once more in the “on” again position in the “on / off” relationship. I expect some more TNA wrestlers to make appearances every so often for Ring of Honor, but I don’t anticipate any sort of “talent exchange” where ROH guys appear on TNA programming.

I don’t disagree with your assessment of TNA. There’s a lot wrong with it, most important to me being the Russo angles which have no sense of logic or continuity. That said, there’s always a chance that TNA can turn themselves around in that regard, and their talent roster is never anything to sneeze at. I still can’t watch more than ten minutes of their TV programming without being afraid I’ll go into a seizure, but I do give credit for them somewhat getting their ship righted by finally having stable characterizations and directions for those characters. The most annoying aspects of their programming is what prevents me from giving them another chance.

I would LOVE to see Prince Nana return to Ring of Honor as he really did hit his best stride as the leader of The Embassy. I don’t know however if a heel vs. heel Embassy vs. Sweet & Sour Inc. program would work, and I don’t know how Nana could be viewed as a face guiding a bunch of wrestlers under The Embassy umbrella. Unless its an “enemy of my enemy is my friend” deal for the ROH officials, I don’t see that program gaining much traction. Again, I would love to see Nana come back, but maybe now there isn’t the space for him storyline-wise.

Ra’Shawd Rhem also chimes in on the Jimmy Jacobs column:

I’m a huge fan and have read each of your Columns of Honor. I really enjoy your style of writing, because you are able to bring the various angles to life. Your description of Jimmy Jacobs’ character development was brilliant. I had never really peeped how well his story has played out. Kudos! Honestly, Mr. Berenstein, I’m looking for advice and possibly a shout-out. I recently started a blog where I am fantasy booking my own federation called Rising Phoenix Wrestling. My blog address is www.risingphoenixwrestling.blogspot.com. I currently have an introductory blog, 4 weekly shows, and a PPV up. I would love for you to check them out and tell me what you think. If you think they are good enough, I would appreciate a cheap plug in one of your COHs.

Ask and ye shall receive for the pluggage. Fantasy wrestling and the internet go hand in hand, and if anyone is interest, Ra’Shawd HAS brought back DA EM BAH SEE in his federation. This reminds me…411’s Independent Draft ’08 is coming soon and I’ll be involved in that as well. Check that out soon, right here (thumbs up, cheap pop, natch!) at 411.

mx729 talks Motor City:

I thought the agreement upon the Mur/Mot..”M” City Machine Guns was that they were not to be included in DVD’s or PPV events, but I’ve been hearing from friends and seeing on 411 talks of getting the DVD of the shows this weekend, so I figured I just wanted to ask whom I see as the RoH doctorite as to what’s happening with that. Only because, and it’s probably just me, I’m more looking forward to reading the results of AotF vs MCMG’s than vs. The Briscoes due to Jimmy Jacob’s rise of popularity and power as of late on the roster and how he’s been developing as a character. I also wanted to compliment you on your character study of Jacob’s evolution in Ring of Honor as I think not only is it very analytically correct and symmetrical of life, it goes to show what potential Jacobs has in his future, and kind of relaxes me knowing that Age of the Fall could potentially continue as a faction… Just not with Jacobs as the leader, as it could be a faction for wrestlers just in that phase of life, with the “revolutionary” points of view. I guess the way I envision it’s possibility is becoming a gimmick similar to Straight-Edge, just instead of taking the frustrations out on bodily abuse, it would be against society wrong-doings as a whole in a “Catcher in the Rye” sort of way. Love reading the columns and hope to hear from you soon!

Nice analysis on your own part there as to the possible future of Age of the Fall… I definitely think that Jacobs isn’t done evolving as a character, because as with most life and most wrestling angles, things generally evolve and change as the months go on. I have to think Jacobs has some sort of idea with the character along those lines, because by reading and listening to interview with him you can tell he’s smart enough to be thinking about these things and planning ahead. I do think it still all goes back to the girl, as the latest video wire adds proof. Here he is ranting and raving about Motor City this and Briscoes that, but what does it all come down to in the end? He wants a call from his girl because he’s insecure about his position with her and not sure about what she’s been doing with Austin Aries.

As far as Motor City’s involvement on the DVDs, rest assured those matches are going to be included on the DVDs for their respective shows. However they won’t be shown or probably even hyped on PPVs and likely won’t be included as a part of the mainstream releases from KOCH Video, as those would be against the contracts of TNA talent. ROH can release the matches on DVDs they sell themselves, but not through a third party. Hope that clears it up for you and your friends!

ROH Doctorate… I like the sound of that!

**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

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.

ROH @ 411

This weekend’s events take center stage for 411’s Roundtable for Detroit and Chicago as well as Samuel Berman vs. Larry Csonka in the one year anniversary of Buy or Sell!

J.D. Dunn reviews ROH’s one night contender’s tournament Eye of the Storm, where Steen took it all.

Matt Short catches you up on your Puro as well as discusses Ibushi’s debut in Ring of Honor in the Nagivation Log.

With the Castagnoli vs. McGuinness title match looming, Samuel Berman goes way back to their first encounter, which was Castagnoli’s debut in ROH, for this week’s Independent Mid Card.

Jarrod Westerfield has some complaints about ROH this week.

Honor Bound Links

T.G. Corke has the Seventh Dimension of Samoa Joe winning the TNA title. Sat & Uncle Trunx also go High Road / Low Road on the Joe vs. Angle match from Lockdown.

Bayani Domingo talks title contendership in this week’s Truth B Told.

Weyer shines The Spotlight on Triple H.

Jake Chambers brings another awesome edition of one of my favorite new columns on the site, Wacky Wrestling Theory. This week it’s all about how professional wrestling should be an Olympic sport. I am totally down with that.

Torkel brings you some more Brooklyn flava while rebooking Randy Orton’s title win from 2004 in Brooklyn Brawlin.

Cook cooks up another cooking edition of Ask 411.

Happy Passover to those celebrating—make sure to make enough Matzah pizza to cover you for the week.

BROOKLYN!
-Ari-