The Ring of Honor Reviewer– 12/8/06 and 12/9/06- Chicago Previews
-Pulse Glazer
Welcome to the preview for Chicago’s big weekend of ROH shows. These cards, unlike the Long Island and Edison offerings are really stacked. We’ll go from the main event on down the card so you’ll know what you’re choosing from. I won’t be at these live, but I’ll have results and thoughts as soon as humanly possible (which is to say, as soon as I can get them posted). And we’re off!
Chicago Ridge, IL- “The Chicago Spectacular, Night 1″ 12/8/06
World Title Steel Cage Match
Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Samoa Joe
This is a potential title change. It’s being pushed as Danielson, as great a champion as he is, just cannot beat the monster Joe. While there is potential that Danielson loses the belt here, his title reign has been an all time classic, and I just cannot see them cheapening it by making it so that he cannot beat Joe. There’s a nice selfish element to this as well. When Danielson loses the belt, he’s due to take some time off, and I’d really like to see him at Final Battle weekend 12/22 and 12/23. Given that he has an announced match 12/22 that is not contingent on him being champ, I really don’t see him losing. That said this is still a spectacular match. I don’t believe that, besides this year’s shorter Survival of the Fittest 20-minute draw, these two have ever come in at less than ****. Add in a cage and you have some amazing potential here. If you can see this match live, do so. I can’t make that any clearer.
Grudge Match
Colt Cabana vs. Jimmy Jacobs with Lacey
Let’s get this out of the way straight off: I’m a Jimmy Jacobs mark. There’s an opening at the top of the card and I’m hoping this is the beginning of Jimmy showing he can handle it. He’s absolutely great in brawls, as is Colt as shown in his feud with Homicide. Colt is, whether I agree with it or not, a top carder and hometown favorite, so he’ll likely win, but a great showing by Jimmy would go a long way to push him up the card. If the main event weren’t what it is, this could steal the show.
Dragon Gate Rules
Austin Aries and Roderick Strong vs. Matt Sydal and Shingo
Lots of subplots here. Aries and Strong get a title shot against Sydal and Daniels the next night, so a loss here is immediately unlikely. Shingo has issue with Shingo over several sneak attacks. Shingo, however, also has a title shot with Sydal and Daniels coming up at the Connecticut show on 12/22. I’d guess the finish sees Shingo turning on Sydal to further set-up that match. Shingo may be a Dragon Gate wrestler, but he’s a traditional heel and ironically might be the guy who works worst in this style. There will be big expectations for this, but I don’t share them.
Special Challenge Match
Nigel McGuinness vs. Jimmy Rave
Well, they had the single most boring match at the Edison show, so I’m really dreading this. The hope is they were saving the heat for when they had an issue with each other, so this match will tell that. Both men have been in far better matches and are very good workers, but neither do well when expected to be the exciting worker in the match. This will be a barometer as to how good, or bad, this feud will be. Curious, but not necessarily good.
Four Corner Survival
Christopher Daniels vs. BJ Whitmer vs. Matt Cross vs. Davey Richards
First off, Matt Cross gains huge by pinning any of these guys, so that’s the way I’d like to see this go. I’ve heard he’s really good, but have yet to see him. Davey just beat Aries and can ride that high for a bit. He really doesn’t need the win, but shouldn’t take the pin to anyone but Daniels. BJ Whitmer gains next to nothing from a win here, and if not Cross, he’ll likely be pinned. He’s a very good worker in these types of matches. He can really brawl and use power, but doesn’t tell the best story with the best pacing, so this type of match does much to hide his weaknesses. Daniels is Daniels, one of the best around and certainly one of the most over guys in the Indies. He’d do most for anyone in this match taking the title, but as X Division champion, he’ll be protected. I’d expect Cross to get the upset here, and this should be better than expected.
Special Challenge Match
Ace Steele and Delirious vs. Adam Pearce and Shane Hagadorn
I could hardly be looking forward to this more. As a lower card match, this has the potential to be a gem. Ace is every bit the worker Colt is, and is nearly as good as Punk. Pearce lacks flash, but always tells a solid story, and Hagadorn is so focused on the basics that he shouldn’t drag it down much. Delirious is always entertaining and will keep this from becoming a routine affair. Others reactions to Delirious are always great and there are plenty for him to play off of here. It never hurts that he’s a very good worker and the crowd is always into Delirious matches. This should be fun with the faces getting the duke.
Special Attraction Match
Homicide vs. Brent Albright
Finally, a chance to see what Albright has. He’s been wrestling lower carders and smashing them thus far, which is fun, but not really what ROH is about. Homicide is a main eventer and world class worker. Albright will not be crushing Homicide, but a good showing will go a long way toward ROH fans taking Albright seriously. Homicide should win, likely with the Lariat, but the real fun is seeing if Albright has what it takes to make it in an ROH ring.
Bonus Tag Team Match
Jay and Mark Briscoe vs. Irish Airborne
A match that has happened numerous time to always fun results. Won’t be a classic, but could get up to *** and will get the crowd involved. The Briscoes, of course, are top card quality, while the spotty Airborne are improving every time out, just from being in the ring with guys like Jay and Mark. This might never be the best match on a given card, but it’s also one that never gets skipped on the DVD.
Chicago Ridge, IL- “The Chicago Spectacular, Night 2″ 12/9/06
The entire lower card is subject to change. We’ll cover why shortly.
ROH World Tag Team Title Match
ROH Tag Team Champions Matt Sydal and Christopher Daniels with Allison Danger vs. Austin Aries and Roderick Strong
Well, let’s just say tag wrestling doesn’t get much better. Daniels and Sydal won’t lose on their first defense, but this should be amazing. Daniels and Aries are world class workers, Strong is borderline, and Sydal, barring injury, will be. Just see this match. 8/26/06 has Gutcheck in Chicago if you don’t believe me about this.
Six Man Tag Team Main Event
Bryan Danielson, Jimmy Rave, and Jimmy Jacobs with Lacey vs. Delirious and 2 partners to be announced
This is hit or miss depending on who Delirious chooses, but I love the heel team. Heat machines, all of them. Let’s see who Delirious chooses before we judge.
Strap Match
Adam Pearce vs. Homicide
Great or terrible, right here. Strap matches rarely end up in between. With both men’s penchant for big violence, I expect a good match. This is intriguing as either an instant classic that boosts Pearce up the card while finishing another Cornette related thread for Homicide.
Grudge Match
Samoa Joe vs. Mark Briscoe
I might as well say this now, although I’ll have a lot more to say on the subject later: Mark has surpassed Jay at this point. He moves and sells much better. Jay might have a slight advantage in storytelling, but if so, it’s quite slight. This can be great, but will likely feature Joe going over strong after losing the previous night. Still, I’d bet it works out better than Joe vs. Jay in LI.
Grudge Match
Jay Briscoe vs. Davey Richards
Jay could really use a win, but Davey is hot and likely won’t lose to Jay after beating Aries. This one could steal the show as they’re both stiff and this can be very fun.
Special Challenge Match
Colt Cabana vs. Shingo
Well, midcard comedy that will be treated like an upper card match. Jimmy cracked corn and I didn’t care.
Special Challenge Match
Nigel McGuinness vs. BJ Whitmer
This is more like it. BJ brings exciting big power moves; Nigel brings the psychology and pacing. Clash of styles that really is an interesting matchup. Might be average, but really has potential to be more. They both move around really, so if they avoid pacing problems this will be good.
Six Man Mayhem
Pelle Primaeu vs. Dave Crist vs. Jack Crist vs. Trick Davis vs. Matt Cross vs. Kiku f*cking taro
KIKUFUCKINGTARO. The best comedy wrestler in the world. If I get he and Delirious at Final Battle”¦ Yes, I’m marking out at the concept. You need to see him. He is the king of the comedy match and he can really go. Kiku, Delirious and Generico in a three way. Wow. Hey, go watch this.
Summary: The first night has a sure MOTYC, so if you can see it, then please do so. You will thank me. The second night is the most interesting and weird card in a long while and features the re-debut of Kikutaro, along with Delirious and Jimmy Jacobs in the main event. Chicago is a lucky, lucky city.
