Column of Honor: 11.01.08: Part Two: Titus Androgynous

I’m on a chocolate binge…someone stop me!

Welcome back to the column.

ROH Call

ROH Champions—As of 11/01/2008

ROH World Champion—Nigel McGuinness (champion since 10/06/07, 28 successful defenses)
–defeated Takeshi Morishima in Edison, New Jersey to win the championship.

Next Defense: a. Four Way Elimination Match vs. Go Shiozaki vs. El Generico vs. Kevin Steen, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 11/07/08
b. vs. Necro Butcher, Markham, ONT, Canada, 11/08/08
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)

**

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
-Sweet & Sour Inc. “Corporate Takeover”
-Brent Albright vs. Sweet & Sour Inc.
-Roderick Strong vs. Davey Richards
-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)

Sapolsky Responds to Booking Change

Asked for his side of the story, Sapolsky told me, “There really isn’t a side to my story. There was no fight or hard feelings. I understand Cary’s decision . I love ROH and hopefully everyone will give the new direction a chance.”
Credit: The Steel Cage from Newsday

In addition, the Wrestling Observer reported that Sapolsky will completely step away from booking Full Impact Pro, as he wouldn’t be travelling to Florida now that he wasn’t ROH booker. He would travel down there to oversee the DVD production and recording of commentary and while there would perform the booking duties for FIP.

ROH and IWS Announce Partnership

ROH officials are happy to announce a working relationship with the IWS promotion (www.syndicatewrestling.com). To that end, on November 7 in Montreal, ROH is happy to welcome the talents of Dan Paysan, Exess, Stupefied, and the Green Phantom! We look forward to seeing these four men in action in Montreal!

I believe this would be Paysan, Stupefied and Phantom’s debuts for ROH, meanwhile Exess may have previously appeared on an ROH show (I seem to remember him or someone with that name being on an team for Prince Nana’s Embassy at one point). Paysan and Stupefied (who wrestled for the past few months in CHIKARA under the moniker “Player Dos” as part of the Super Smash Brothers team) are smaller and skinner in frame (think Jack Evans skinny). Paysan has a very energetic personality and Stupfied resembles something akin to a human pinball. I can’t say much for Green Phantom just yet, but perhaps he and Green Lantern Fan will have a lot to talk about.

Titus Androgynous

All my fellow Shakespeare buffs will get that word play. Anyway, Rhett Titus week continued with this little bit of too much information—Rhett Titus is attempting to be voted on to VH1’s reality dating special “Daisy of Love” (which is a spin-off of “Rock of Love” and boy are these shows and their sequels the new bacteria and viruses of reality television). No idea if this is just a rib or a lark or if Titus is serious about it. Either way, setting up a page like this (and the other…thing we’ll get to later) is showing dedication to the business. Check it out and vote for Titus through this page.

What DOES Titus have for girls with the name Daisy?

Sweet & Sour Storyline Advancement

Recent reliable sources claim that bitter foes Roderick Strong and Erick Stevens have been seen together recently in intense discussion. When approached, Erick Stevens only smiled and said, “Desperate times…”.

Chris Hero and Larry Sweeney have reportedly reached an unmatched level of confidence when talking about the upcoming “Lights Out Match” between Hero and Roderick Strong on 11/21 in Dayton. Sweeney has stacked the deck once again as Strong will have to go through Davey Richards in Montreal. “Rodney Strong will be lucky if he gets back down from America’s hat anyway,” said Sweeney, “because I have unleashed Davey Richards, and in Montreal he will feed on him and leave him for dead. Ain’t no doubt about it! Hahahahaha!!!”

We have another grudge match to announce for Montreal. Sweet-n-Sour’s Eddie Edwards will oppose the man who has continually shunned the advances of Larry Sweeney, Erick Stevens! Sweeney has made it a priority to teach Stevens a lesson, and Edwards claims he’s up to the task. “People think I have no personality,” quipped Edwards. “But what do these idiot fans expect? I get paid for one thing – my wrestling skill. And it’s deadly! That’s right, I’m deadly. Silent but deadly.”

We’re happy to announce that Brent Albright returns to action in Dayton on November 21! While his opponent is yet unknown, Albright has made one thing clear: He wants Sweet-n-Sour at any cost. “Bring me anyone managed by that Yellow-haired-Blue-Toothed-Cheap-Suit-Mush-Mouth. It started with Pearce, but I suppose he’s off pushing paper somewhere. Everyone knows what I want. I want them all in the cage at Final Battle!” As this went to press, ROH has yet to receive any response to Albright’s challenge for Final Battle. More to come.

The SHIMMER Championship will be on the line in Chicago on 11/22 as two of the best female wrestlers in the entire world will square off for the gold. Larry Sweeney leads the dominant Sara del Rey into battle against the formidable MsChif! Del Rey has been virtually unstoppable as of late, but the level of her recent competition pales in comparison to the current Shimmer and NWA World Women’s Champion.

It’s about time Strong and Stevens teamed up. Throw Albright in there and we’ve got a New No Remorse Corps to die for. Expect lots of forearm strikes by Hero in this lights out match against Strong. Strong is behind the 8-ball in this one as this match is quickly becoming Hero’s specialty. Pearce’s comic humor is all over that comment by “Eddie Edwards” and while it’s appreciated, Edwards is still so cardboard I could blow him over with one breath. Hmmm (looks back to what I just wrote)…maybe that didn’t come out right…anyway, Albright and Stevens will likely be matched up against Sweet & Sour members for a while on the build to the Steel Cage Warfare match in December. It would also be great to see Albright looking for partners like Strong, Stevens and others to fight alongside him in this war against The Inc. What if they have to fight Sara Del Rey? Stevens was reluctant to hit her in the Honor Rumble, but Albright has had no problem suplexing her out of her eyebrows when he goes on his ring clearing rampages of Sweet & Sour. Speaking of, Del Rey vs. MsChif is the big rematch SHIMMER fans expected to see at some point. A win by MsChif cements her spot as SHIMMER women’s champion, and I don’t think we’ll see a SHIMMER title change in ROH as opposed to a SHIMMER show…however, if Del Rey does regain the gold, The Inc. only tightens its positioning within Ring of Honor, holding all of its sister titles and using it as leverage.

Falling Over Themselves to Fight Joe

Rumor has it that the Age of the Fall may have something to say about ROH Legend, Samoa Joe, and in particular his upcoming return to ROH on November 22 in Chicago. More to come as it becomes available.

More Age of the Fall News: Rumor has it that Jimmy Jacobs has asked ROH officials to allow Tyler Black as his second for the 11/22 “I Quit” match in Chicago against Austin Aries. Aries could not be reached for comment.

Where is this Rumor and where can I find her to find out the truth of these situations? I MUST KNOW!

Two Kennys

The Briscoe Brothers have had an open contract for ROH’s Montreal debut for some time. In surprising news, newcomer Kenny Omega has signed the “dotted line” but as of now does not currently have a partner. We’ll have more on this as it develops.

The final opening in the contract to face the Briscoe Brothers in Montreal has been signed. Teaming with newcomer Kenny Omega will be none other than the brash Kenny King. “I told you fools I’d make my presence felt,” said King. “I need to face the best competition possible to make my name in ROH, and everyone knows that the Briscoes are at the top of any list. I don’t know Kenny Omega, and I frankly don’t care. This match is about me, and me taking my place among the greats in ROH.”

I like the direction for Kenny King and Kenny Omega. Both men have to “step their game up” to fight The Briscoes. Omega gets a big chance, but the character of Kenny King should either take over the match such that it gets in their way or causes them to win, perhaps beginning a new program between the two Kenny’s either as a team or as rivals.

Airborne America

The booking committee is pleased to announce that Irish Airborne will be making their return to the ROH squared circle. Injuries have kept the twin duo from tag team competition for several months, but they’re poised to make their impact once again. Dave Crist commented, “We’re back to being 100% physically, and we’re so excited for the opportunity to show what we’re capable of. And there’s no better place for us to do it than in Dayton!” When we have their opponents for 11/21 in Dayton we’ll report it right here in the Newswire.

Ugh. I do not approve. ‘Nuff Said.

Three Way Dance

Bryan Danielson has Nigel McGuinness locked in his sights. If Nigel is still the titleholder, Danielson will face the enigmatic ROH Champion for the title on Pay-Per-View in Chicago on 11/22. A match of this profile is apparently not enough for Danielson as he’s been in contact with ROH officials in reference to his involvement on the 11/8 Toronto card. Danielson has informed the booking committee in ROH that he has no intention of resting on his laurels before the upcoming title bout, and to that end, has requested inclusion in what was originally an already exciting encounter. On 11/8 in Toronto, the announced match between Tyler Black and Kenny Omega will now be a 3-Way-Dance! Danielson vs. Black vs. Omega! We’ll have comments from the combatants next week in the Newswire.

Well, I liked Black vs. Omega as a singles match, but inserting Danielson not only ratchets up the intensity of this match but also continues the connection between Danielson and Black, who have matched up against the other all year (and whom I believe could have a date with destiny for the ROH World Title at some point in the near future). I’m all for this three way match—could be a clear show stealer.

ROH Home Theatre Station

Four Way Match in Montreal

Steen & Generico vs. The Briscoes Preview

ROH Newswire for October 28th, 2008

Rhett Titus Gets His Groove Back (CAUTION: THE FOLLOWING VIDEO IS NOT FOR THE WEAK AT HEART OR THOSE WITH QUEASY STOMACHS. PARENTAL GUIDANCE IS ADVISED.)

Grizzly Redwood vs. Chasyn Rance

1. Evan Bourne : I hate that he was injured just at the time where it seemed he was breaking out and through the WWE system. The fans were taking to him and his air game was and is super-unique and exciting. He’d help to keep me watching WWE programming on both Raw and ECW and it wasn’t just because of his ROH connections. I am hoping for a speedy recovery for Bourne, but four months is a long time away from the ring. Here’s hoping WWE keeps the pedal to the metal on a Bourne push when he comes back. And oh yeah…rumor has it (there she is again!) Bourne will be part of some sweet downloadable content for WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009!
2. CM Punk and Kofi Kingston: A terrific win against Team Priceless that made it seem like the WWE actually gave a damn about its tag division (doubt it will last though). These two have very complimentary styles. Punk was way into the finish, hitting everything cleanly and doing a great job of getting the crowd into the title win. I even see that sometimes he’s busting out the “X” during his entrances these days, and that’s a much appreciated call back for this long time Punk fan.
3. Scott Steiner: While the Main Event Mafia now resembles the nWo Wolfpack even more with Steiner as a part of the group, I think it was the right call. The most important note about his return is now we are once again going to be treated to his off-the-wall promos. He has more malapropisms than a speech from President George W. Bush.
4. Larry Sweeney: To paraphrase The Police, every little thing he does is magic. He’s gold on the mic, as a manager, as a wrestler in both ROH and CHIKARA. He’s got a great sense of comic timing, but can also be the heelest of the heels when necessary. Ain’t no doubt about it!
5. Necro Butcher: Not only is he “his own man” in Ring of Honor from now on, but before his match against Jimmy Jacobs at Night of the Butcher II we also learned that he has a clear cause to fight for—his wife and child. In that one sentence Necro cemented his face status and endeared himself even more to the fans in attendance. Then he punched out six men to end the night and stood tall (well, sat down tall on a chair). While “I Won’t Back Down” isn’t the heaviest entrance song in the world, it is absolutely the most fitting theme Necro can have for his current character direction.

ROH Preview: November 7th, 2008 in Montreal, Canada

Centre Jean-Claude Malepart
November 7, 2008- 8:00pm belltime
2633 rue Ontario Est
Montreal, Quebec H2K 1W8

ROH World Title Elimination Match
ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness vs. FIP World Heavyweight Champion Go Shiozaki vs. ROH World Tag Team Champion Kevin Steen vs. ROH World Tag Team Champion El Generico

Steen and Generico are back in their home country as champions, but are not defending the tag straps until the next night in Markham (just outside Toronto). This match gives them the very unique opportunity of trying to become double champions and win gold in their home country, but it will come at a cost. Both men will be in to win, but while they may team up with each other to take out their other opponents McGuinness and Shiozaki, at some point it’s going to come down to them fighting each other. It’s been a while since Steen has even been mean to Generico in promos…can these two rediscover the gumption to fight each other? Winning the ROH World Title is good enough motivation as any…but don’t overlook the elimination rules format. McGuinness mastered the rules in the last four way elimination match back at Death Before Dishonor VI…expect him to once again come up with the right strategy to win this one. Shiozaki, meanwhile brings raw power to the table…and the managerial prowess of Larry Sweeney has once again allowed him to try to win gold during his stay in America. If McGuinness wins here he goes on to defend against Necro Butcher the next night.

Respect Is Earned II Rematch
Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black vs. Bryan Danielson & Austin Aries

The tie-in to the Aries vs. Jacobs feud continues with these two teams taking each other one one more time as we wind down to the last two singles matches between Aries and Jacobs. However, you can’t overlook Danielson and Black and their roles in this match. Black pinned Danielson during the Respect is Earned II match. For some reason I believe the spotlight will definitely come to them and one or the other will have the key to victory for their team.

Grudge Match
Roderick Strong vs. Davey Richards with Larry Sweeney

Strong is up one to nothing against Richards since the betrayal and disintegration of the No Remorse Corps. He had to go to Japan to get that win, but now Richards is back in America for the forseeable future and that means he and Strong are going to find their way to each other more frequently. Sweeney just wants Richards to injure Strong before his match with Hero the next night, but I think Richards will be more motivated by revenge and retribution—injure and torture are just the perks of this assignment. This is a dangerous match for Strong unless he has some back up on the way.

Special Attraction
Jerry Lynn vs. Delirious

Lynn has been racking up wins in his stay in ROH, but was stopped by Tyler Black. He now has to refocus on the goals of moving up the ladder and a win against Black’s Age of the Fall teammate Delirious will help him to do just that. Lynn is crafty and still has some great offensive in his arsenal, but has ever met anyone with the animalistic savagery of Delirious? In his current state of mind, Delirious is unbalanced, untethered and unstoppable in his willingness to inflict pain.

Special Challenge Match
The Necro Butcher vs. Brodie Lee

The one Column of Honor readers have already discussed and now we can anticipate the real deal happening in an ROH ring. Brodie Lee is a newcomer to ROH but he should not be overlooked or underestimated. He can brawl with the best of them, and Necro is one of the best at brawling. Don’t overlook that Jimmy Jacobs is likely in the wings ready to turn things to his favor if Necro somehow gains a significant advantage in this match.

Tag Team Attraction
Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Kenny Omega & Kenny King

Two Briscoes against two Kenny’s…what a combination of forces in this one! The Briscoes are still a team to beat in ROH and very few have done so. Omega has the locals behind him and a fantastic repertoire, but he may not have enough stamina to deal with a prolonged fight against The Briscoes. As for King, he’s got the attitude and the skill to match, but he does not yet have a significant win in ROH. Is he all bluster and no mustard?

Grudge Match
Erick Stevens vs. Eddie Edwards with Larry Sweeney

Stevens continues to have his problems with The Inc. This is a “trap match”, because Stevens no doubt wants to get a piece of Sweeney or current FIP champion Go Shiozaki and Edwards, while not ever going to be mistaken for a Terrell Owens style player, does have the in-ring ability to pull off an upset.

Dan Paysan, Exess, Stupefied, & Green Phantom from IWS will be in action!!!

Going Home

The Song Book
We’re still looking for new theme songs for the former Mitch Franklin, now sporting a fantastic beard, using a lumberjack gimmick and calling himself GRIZZLY REDWOOD. Drop me a line and let me know your choice.

Ringtones

Here is an open letter from former 411 alumnus and current Cool Kids Table writer Jerome Cusson discussing the current booking situation:

When I think about the last 2 1/2 years and my fandom of Ring of Honor, I will always think of how it saved my love for professional wrestling. i had been enjoying TNA up to that point, but this was the company that made me believe that professional wrestling could be treated with respect while also maintaining its’ entertainment tendencies. The heart and soul of that company since I began watching and since 2004 has been Gabe Sapolsky. Despite my disagreements and issues with some of the directions the company has taken recently, I would never suggest the firing of Gabe Sapolsky. Not now. Not ever unless he pulled a Rob Feinstein or embezzled money or killed someone.

I’d be the first to suggest a cooling off period or some sort of vacation. It could be two months, three months, six months for I care. Getting Gabe away so he could fairly evaluate what he’s done and so he could see the product from an outsider’s point of view would have been a great move for all involved. For Cary to simply dump Gabe after four years reeks of coldness and a politics that Ring of Honor always wanted to stray away from. The economic times are tough, and Ring of Honor is not as important as gasoline or food. But any further appearance of instability or that this company might be in trouble will only drive fans away.

Why should I continue going to ROH shows and buying DVDs when they’re dumping talent, changing shows around, and now firing their booker. Hell, he’s more than a booker. Part of me will always believe, and this might be confirmed in the coming months, but it seems as though part of ROH’s heart and soul left when Gabe Sapolsky left the building in Edison.

It doesn’t matter who the next booker of Ring of Honor is, whether it’s some sort of hodgepodge committee or an individual. I will carefully think about whether I want to continue supporting Ring of Honor over these next few months. Older talent will not draw me in. Turning ROH into just another independent wrestling company that focuses on silly ass characters and lame concept matches will not draw me in. What will draw me in? A commitment to excellence in the ring with improvements in every aspect of the company. That means cleaning up production, improving promo work, and teaching all of the talent how to have more meaningful matches instead of spotfests.

If ROH chooses to go in another direction and make significant choices that I don’t like or want to support, I’ve got movies to watch, television shows to enjoy, and columns to work on. As much as I love going to shows and enjoy the DVDs, I won’t for a single second question my decision to stop watching this company.

Adam Pearce literally goes from not being used anymore in ROH to now being the man in charge? Personally, I don’t know his booking style or how he perceives the talent. However, this is an interesting decision that is surely going to charge up ROH fans to either love more old school booking or just completely turn on the company once and for all. I’ll take a wait and see approach with Pearce, but the prospect of sending the company back into the late 70s doesn’t anything but excite me. There’s just one final thing I wanted to bring up.

The prospect of Samoa Joe returning to ROH for November 22 is an exciting one. To think of two rivalries coming to an end as well as the return of a man who was a prime reason I became an ROH fan makes this a potentially great final show for me to attend and watch in person. I’m not saying that I’m done with ROH after that night, but the prospect of that being the end is what would leave me with a good feeling about cutting off ties with ROH.

Four years ago, Cary Silkin saved Ring of Honor from certain extinction. Now he’s made a decision that certainly pulls at the heartstrings of everyone associated with Ring of Honor. That includes the wrestlers, the referees, the announcers, and of course the fans. As happy as my wallet will be if I stop following ROH, I can’t help but feel that after 14 years of being a professional wrestling, it could come crashing down with just one simple firing.

Frequent writer Justin Shaq also voices his concerns about the booking change:

Let me just say i am deep disappointed by the firing of one Gabe Sapolsky. The emphasis on wrestling is what drew me to ROH in the first place. How can i now sit and stare at the computer, wondering why ROH promises to be more entertainment-esque. That statement is god-awful why does wrestling always have to be soap opera why cant the wrestling tell a story. Ric Flair was the greatest wrestler of all time, because he told stories in the ring he was always able to make an opponent look great whether it be Ricky Morton or Road Warrior Hawk. I do not need stories to outweigh performances this is exactly what’s wrong with WWE that’s why santino Marella is the Intercontinental champion because his “entertainment value” outweights [sic] his wrestling expertise. I implore Cary Silkin the owner of ROH to let matches tell a story, this why i fell in love with Ring of Honor. I am a purist there needs to be “wrestling in wrestling i know that’s a pun lol, but please make my wish come true.

I think the changes in ROH’s style may be overblown, at least at the outset of this situation. All we’re seeing so far is extra emphasis on character and personality, but we don’t know enough yet about what we’ll see in the ring to judge what this all means. I think once fans get word about the 11/7 and 11/8 shows we might have a better idea of what to expect. As far as “entertainment” and all of the connotations therein, let’s not forget ROH has always had that side to itself, but that the focus has been on the in-ring and not the other way around. I think you can get away with moving the percentages a little more closely to the entertainment side if the product can still deliver in the ring when it counts. However, as I’ve suggested before, if we are to be treated to Vince Russo-esque swerves and stories where there is no logic and the viewer is insulted, expect massive defections to ensue.

Luke, who had written before and has been very down about ROH this year, had this to say:

“[2008 has been] the best year for in-ring work”

Are you serious?

Furthermore, have you seen a single match from Japan and/or before 2002?

Yikes.

Just… yikes. DVDs of that stuff are $6, tops! Just look around online!

As I intimated to you before, its now official- I’m done 100% with ROH. I wanted Sapolsky gone for awhile, but all signs point to things getting even worse now. Saraba, ROH.

Yes I am serious. I have a list of about thirty matches sitting at about four stars or plus for one reason or another, but for the major reason being that they were great matches and I enjoyed watching them. 2006 and 2007’s lists don’t have the same quantity of quality matches.

I download a match here and there and the last match I saw was some Dragon Gate stuff from mid-year. I just don’t have the extra money right now to buy more than ROH, SHIMMER and CHIKARA DVDs (which is more than a lot already) and I don’t have the extra hours on hand these days to watch more than what I do already.
Everyone’s more than entitled to do what they want as a result of the Sapolsky switch, but as I wrote in my columns I’m going to give things a chance before ultimately deciding to stop watching or to stick around. And let’s face it WWE and TNA have both done far worse–FAR WORSE–to make me want to stop watching their profuct than anything ROH has done this year.

Also, if you wanted Sapolsky gone, and now he’s gone, then why are you gone from watching ROH? Wouldn’t the booking change make you more likely to watch ROH to see how it works out?

More comments on Sapolsky Ouster

WOW, this really is a major development that absolutely no-one saw coming. I attended Wrestlemania 20 at MSG, but the real highlight was seeing ROH the night before. It was the most awesome event I’ve ever seen, wrestling or otherwise. It was a time similiar to now (the whole Rob Feinstein saga) and things looked really bleak for the company, but they pulled through and went on to bigger and better things. Let’s hope that’s the case this time too. Good luck to Gabe and thanks for six excellent years. Good luck also to ROH, we don’t want to lose you.

Posted By: Chikaraking (Guest) on October 27, 2008 at 01:13 AM

I’ve mentioned often about how I also did the ROH At Our Best / Wrestlemania XX double dip and how in some ways I enjoyed the ROH show almost as much as attending my first Wrestlemania (and seeing my hero at the time, Chris Benoit, win the World Heavyweight Championship). A funny note from that is my buddy Jon and I had no idea where the event was taking place inside the RexPlex complex and so we walked a complete lap around the facility and actually walked into a part where the wrestlers and referees were hanging out and going over some matches.OOPS!

At Our Best was very important in the history of ROH, as it showed it could still put out an amazing product even during a time of controversy. I think they’re going to have to do the same with the Montreal and Toronto shows—prove it still has the power to do well under tough situations.

I don’t think we have anything to fear in regards to Russo getting hired.

What we should be concerned about is bringing back Feinstein. I pray that this child molesting bastard is still kept far away from ROH… but Cary was willing to lie about his involvement in the past, so who knows? The only reason I can think of that makes him unemployable is that if ROH is looking for a TV deal, the shit would hit the fan if the network found out that one of the main figures of the company was busted showing up for sex with whom he thought was an underage boy.

Posted By: Scott B (Guest) on October 27, 2008 at 02:28 AM

You never know in this business…but while some people have said they fear RF is coming back, nothing of the sort has happened as yet, and I doubt Silkin would be foolish enough to engender even more controversy on his business at this point.

Now i love ROH (no really) as much as the next person but hiring russo would be the best idea ever!!

Really tell me how white hot the heel heat would be? Booked right he would be a great addition, storyline wise anyways.

C’mon Ari u know you would get into it and love to hate him.

Posted By: andy baker (Guest) on October 27, 2008 at 09:01 AM

Oh no. absolutely not. I hate Russo’s booking with every fiber of my being and if he’s a part of ROH, I and my spending dollars will not be a part of ROH. This isn’t a case of “love to hate” it’s just “hate and will not watch”.

Ari, I know you are the biggest ROH suckup and fanboy, but even you have to admit they are pretty much dead now. Gabe did everything for them with a limited budget. Now who are they going to get to run things with no money? According to Cary their new vision is to be something like TNA-lite. haha. They haven’t even the money to be that.

I know comic books geeks like yourself don’t follow the business side of things, but according to a number of reports, ROH is in major financial trouble. Not a good thing to have in this economy. Canning Gabe might have been the first of a lot of cost cutting moves.

ROH will likely get the plug pulled on it the coming months by Cary. Cary has already proved to be an idiot in canning Gabe. Of course he will destory ROH next without Gabe runnning things.

If ROH fans like you weren’t so arrogant and childish, I might actually feel sorry for the poor little indy that failed.

Posted By: Oscar (Guest) on October 27, 2008 at 01:46 PM

I read the report by Meltzer and yes, ROH has been losing money this year, of course not as much as TNA has lost over the years, but maybe even worse for ROH because they have little margin for error. If ROH can put together an improved run of DVD sales and actually cut costs, it will hope to balance out. But that’s a big if and I don’t know that it will happen.

This run for ROH is currently at almost seven years. ECW made it eight years and WCW (under the WCW” name) went about ten. It’s hard for wrestling promotions to make it over the long haul. WWE has been the only one to do it for decades and even they had their problems at times. I give a lot of credit for JAPW in Jersey for making it over the decade hump and IWA Mid South is there or close I believe as well. Ring of Honor’s future is no doubt on the line here—as many writers have said, they are basically in a make or break situation here.

However, just judging from the opening week, matches and storylines are continuing onwards in the same or similar fashion as they would have under Gabe. I don’t think we’ll see the full extent of any changes until early 2009, and then we’ll see what kind of stability the company will have. Maybe they’ll be dead in ’09, but right now they’re not dead yet and to say they are going to die is premature.

Re: LAX vs. LOX

Boo I thought his was about the rap group!! At least you mentioned them, lol.

Posted By: Foolio (Guest) on October 25, 2008 at 03:33 PM

I did say I was jewish, hence the fish instead of the rap group. Its closest to my heart.

“What, did you expect me to mention the rappers instead?”

Yes! Double BOO!

Posted By: AJP (Guest) on October 25, 2008 at 06:55 PM
I’m sorry I missed the mark on this issue. I’m also a geek, if that helps.

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

My special edition Column of Honor looking at Sapolsky’s outser was published this past Monday.

411’s Buy or Sell looks at all of the changes in ROH this past week as well as previews the PWG Battle of Los Angeles.

Mathew Sforcina’s Evolution Schematic continues his look at SHIMMER for some reason finds John “Pee Wee” Moore’s assertion that ROH is owned by WWE plausible. RIGHT. And I also own ROH.

Sam Berman gives his take on the Gabe Sapolsky booking change.

Michael Weyer, Alex Mattis, Ronny Sarnecky, Tim Livingston , Jarrod Westerfield and Steve Cook also report on the story and voice their opinions. Check them all out, as they represent a great cross section of opinion on the topic.

Honor Bound Links

Bayani Domingo brings out the big guns to celebrate PWG’s Battle of Los Angeles 2008. He gives a full preview in this week’s Truth B Told and hosts a big Roundtable Preview / Bracketology for the tournament as well.

Matt Short’s Navigation Log covers the KENTA vs. Marufuji one hour draw.

Michael O gives you his cheers and jeers of the week.

Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal…must read!

High Road / Low Road on Foley as DA BOSS.

Ask 411 is not home of wrestling champions like the Evo Schematic is the home of wrestling champions. Not trying to start a MASSIVE 411 feud, but I’m just saying.

Where did Hurricane go anyway?

And that will just about do it for this week’s edition of the CoH. Remember to VOTE EARLY AND OFTEN, well just vote…for ROUND FOUR of CHIKARA vs. ROH! Well…and I suppose that other voting that’s going on this week too, but my poll first! (that’s what she…ah, screw it)

Next week, its results from Montreal and a preview of the Markham show, thoughts on the latest ROH DVD releases and much more!

BROOKLYN! PRINCE NANA, EH!!!
–Ari–