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Csonka’s All In Preview
WELCOME back to column time with Larry! Today, I am going to discuss and preview tonight’s big All In PPV, you know, the little show that sold 10,000 tickets in right around 30-minutes. Today, I will give my predictions, and break down the show match by match. Feel free to make your picks in the comment section. Thanks for reading! It’s wrestling, we love it and will disagree. The only rules are “have a take, be respectful, and don’t be a dick.”
Over Budget Battle Royal For a Shot at The ROH Title: (Participants include – Brian Cage, Jordynne Grace, Moose, Rocky Romero, Colt Cabana, Ethan Page, Billy Gunn, Jimmy Jacobs, Marko Stunt, Trent, Chuckie T, Brandon Cutler, Virgil, MJF, Punishment Martinez) This is the basic “get everyone on the card” match, which I tend to be annoyed by, but this match actually has stakes attached to it (an ROH title shot), plus it’s Cody and the Bucks getting their friends work and exposure on WGN, so I really can’t hate it. Taking everything into consideration (the show location, ROH politics, fan reaction) Colt Cabana should be a lock to win this. He’s the hometown boy, would get a huge reaction, would ensure fan interest in the later match with Lethal and since he works for ROH, it seems like they’d be happy with that. Add in that they have a history and work well together and it just makes sense (unless Flip somehow makes his way into this as Burnard or El Chico Luchador). Also, as I mentioned during my latest appearance on Sunday Night’s Main Event on TSN, IF they can score Neville and if ROH could have thrown something together quick enough, I’d have Neville win this, and then beat Lethal in the ROH title match so that Neville can main event Death Before Dishonor against Will Ospreay. But going by what I know at this time, I go with Cabana. WINNER: Colt Cabana
The Briscoes vs. Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky: While Daniel & Kaz are the better tag team from SCU, Daniels is busy with the green arrow, and I am sure that Kaz and Sky will be just fine working against the Briscoes. This also works out well since ROH is currently running a Briscoes vs. SCU feud, which should lead to a tag title match, possibly at Death Before Dishonor. This should be a nice next step on that feud, but I see the Briscoes winning to continue SCU’s chase, but honestly, it’s a coin flip. WINNER: The Briscoes
Chicago Street Fight: Adam Page vs. Joey Janela: As a follower of Being The Elite, I fully expected this to be Adam Page vs. famous dick wrestler Joey Ryan, but that was tragically ended when famous dick wrestler Joey Ryan was mysteriously killed in Japan. So instead, Joey Janela got the call, and booking Janela on the show was a smart call. The guy is a fucking rock star and brings a lot of attention to any show he’s on. Page is having a great 2018, and this should be very good, and likely crazy at times (especially with the late addition of the Chicago Street Fight stipulation). If I had to guess, I’d say just when Page has things in hand and is about to pick up the big win, the ghost of famous dick wrestler Joey Ryan will arrive and cost Page the win and get some revenge for his corporeal form. WINNER: Joey Janela
Tessa Blanchard vs. Madison Rayne vs. Chelsea Green vs. Britt Baker: This is a nice showcase for the women, and judging by who is involved, it should be good. Rayne is a solid veteran, Green is a fun character, and Baker has worked with and against her several times. Tessa is the star here and has a lot of momentum. Hopefully, they just work a strong and straightforward match that allows everyone some time to shine. WINNER: Tessa Blanchard
Stephen Amell vs. Christopher Daniels: When Stephen Amell was announced for the show, I immediately thought he’d be in a multi-man tag match so that he could be hidden, but he’s getting the full Monty here in a singles match. Amell has worked a WWE tag and two ROH tags, so he has “a little” experience in the ring. The guy stays in great shape and is a good athlete; check him out on Ninja Warrior, where he killed it and proved his claims that he does the salmon ladder on Arrow. And if you are going to have an inexperienced, but enthusiastic, athlete in a singles match, Christopher Daniels was the perfect guy to pair him with. Daniels being called the ring general isn’t just a cute gimmick, the man’s vast experience and ability to work with anyone is needed here. If I had to guess, I’d say that this will be at the very least fun and I am interested to see how Amell does in a one on one setting, but wouldn’t be surprised to see some smoke and mirrors involved. Usually, when you bring in a celebrity, they pick up the win, and I expect the same here. WINNER: Stephen Amell
Kazuchika Okada vs. Marty Scurll: This is an interesting match, not just because it’s NJPW talents in HW vs. LHW match, which Okada will win, and should likely dominate. It’s interesting due to the reaction of the match. At first, people loved it because it was a fresh match for Okada and a huge opportunity for Scurll. But that quickly turned to “Okada’s being wasted on Scurll and this match will suck.” It’s funny how quickly things can change. I like it because it’s a different match for both guys, and because it works on a special card like this. It will likely be a good and fun match. WINNER: Kazuchika Okada
ROH Title Match: Champion Jay Lethal vs. The Winner of The Over Budget Battle Royal: As mentioned above, I predicted Colt Cabana to earn the title shot. When Cabana made his ROH return, it was when Lethal was champion the first time, and they had a fun feud and some very good matches. Cabana makes sense as an ROH guy and as a Chicago boy. This may end up being a bit more comedy than most expect, as they have heavily teased “Black Machismo” appearing on Being the Elite. Of course, they could throw me a big curveball and I could be completely wrong here. But no matter who wins the “Over Budget Battle Royal,” Lethal should retain and it will likely be a good match as Lethal pretty much never disappoints. WINNER: Champion Jay Lethal
Kenny Omega vs. Pentagon: I am really looking forward to this one, because as far as I can tell, this is a first time singles match between two performers I really enjoy. Omega is an absolutely great big match performer, and Pentagon is simply the motherfucking truth. I expect this one to get wild, as Omega has no issues with flying or taking the fight out of the ring, and Pentagon loves to do the same and is not afraid of brawling. With the way these guys are aligned company wise, this may be the one and only meeting they have for a very long time. I think that this has the potential to be really great and I hope that this is just a straightforward match with both guys bringing it. I am excited about this. WINNER: Kenny Omega
NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match: Champion Nick Aldis vs. Cody Rhodes: According to the latest reports, this will NOT be the main event. Putting Cody & Aldis on last, after some of the stuff that will come before it (the six-man, Omega vs. Pentagon) felt to me, like a disaster waiting to happen. Aldis’ style doesn’t lend it self to exciting matches, and Cody can be hit and miss. Anyway, with this being the Bucks and his show, hopefully, the crowd will be really into him and they may be receptive to the circus element he brings to his big matches. And if they are this will be a time that the antics may really add to a match. Cody looking to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship is a great story in terms of his recent failures to win the ROH & IWGP Championship, plus you have the added tie-in that it was the title that Cody’s father held and that Cody admired in Dusty’s office when he was a child. I think that Cody takes the title here, bringing some attention to the belt, and then Cody can drop it back later on at an ROH event, maybe one of the live events on Honor Club or NWA Anniversary show, to try and make it feel special. WINNER: Cody Rhodes
Rey Mysterio, Bandido, and Fenix vs. The Young Bucks and Kota Ibushi: I am thrilled that this match is main eveting, because it was designed with stealing the show in mind. Rey is a legend and will be treated as such by the crowd, Fenix is amazing, and Bandido has been upping his profile over the last year, and really impressing. Kota Ibushi is a wild man and an absolutely amazing big match performer. The Bucks always deliver, and most times are the highlight of any show they are on and on their own show, will be looking to steal it like any other. They thrive in these wild six-man style matches, and with the level of talent involved, I expect this to be an absolutely wild and chaotic trios match in the best was possible. In the end, I see the lucha boys picking up the win with Rey standing tall out of respect ahead of his WWE return. WINNER: Rey Mysterio, Bandido, and Fenix
“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”
