Ring of Honor Weekly

Columns, Top Story

Tokyo, Night 1, 9/13/08

The Match: ROH World Tag Team Title Match: Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black vs. Jay and Mark Briscoe

The Result: Jacobs beat Jay Briscoe with the End Time.

What They’re Saying About it: This was a huge brawl that got a “Holy Shit” chant. I’d guess this is low **** range, but great fun.

What the Result Tells Us: Jacobs needed to be built in Japan for his match the next night with Nigel.

The Match: Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness

The Result: Bryan won with a Small Package.

What They’re Saying About it: They say this is extremely old-school in style, hearkening back to Jumbo’s prime. I’m guaranteed to eat that up. This almost has to be at least ****, as nearly every time they face off is.

What the Result Tells Us: Bryan is getting a World Title shot on the strength of this, but because he won clean here, he’ll lose there.

The Match: Naruki Doi, Masato Yoshino and BxB Hulk vs. El Generico, Shingo and Dragon Kid

The Result: Generico took this one with a brainbuster.

What They’re Saying About it: This is on par with the **** ¼- ***** ROH Dragon Gate 6-Man matches.

What the Result Tells Us: Generico’s DG push is serious and this match plus Danielson vs. Nigel guarantee a must-buy DVD.

The Match: Davey Richards vs. Roderick Strong

The Result: Roderick beat Davey in 25 minutes.

What They’re Saying About it: This supposedly tore the house down. Considering the three matches after, that’s really impressive. Davey apparently came off like a star.

What the Result Tells Us: Davey should have won for the feud, but Roderick had to win to be considered to have a shot against Kensuke Sasaki the next night.

The Match: Austin Aries vs. Ryo Saito

The Result: Aries won.

What They’re Saying About it: I hear solid but not exceptional. Makes sense given spot on the card.

What the Result Tells Us: Aries has been awesome against DG and is a top gaijin there when he visits.

The Match: YAMATO vs. Eddie Edwards

The Result: YAMATO won.

What They’re Saying About it: The best match of Eddie’s ROH career.

What the Result Tells Us: Edwards isn’t being pushed yet, but is earning it.

Tokyo, Night 2, 9/14/08

The Match: ROH World Title Match: Nigel McGuinness vs. Jimmy Jacobs

The Result: Nigel won with the Jawbreaker lariat.

What They’re Saying About it: Nigel played a pure face and it worked out great.

What the Result Tells Us: There’s a reason this didn’t happen in America where both are uber-heels. The crowd here was more accepting and allowed Nigel to be a face.

The Match: Kensuke Sasaki vs. Roderick Strong

The Result: Kensuke won.

What They’re Saying About it: This was, according to Gabe, an even match. I’ll buy it when I see it. A chopfest is fun for all.

What the Result Tells Us: Kensuke is a beast? We knew that.

The Match: KENTA and Kota Ibushi vs. Marufuji and Nakajima

The Result: A 30-minute draw.

What They’re Saying About it: Gabe is giving this super-hype by refusing to hype the match. These guys are great, but in an exhibition, there should have been a winner.

What the Result Tells Us: These guys are all awesome and will sell this DVD with a MOTYC.

The Match: GHC Jr. Title Match: Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Bryan Danielson

The Result: Danielson claimed the title with the Cattle Mutilation!

What They’re Saying About it: A very good match that built to an amazing crescendo… but really, duh, its Danielson.

What the Result Tells Us: Danielson is considered very highly in Japan.

The Match: Jay and Mark Briscoe vs. Davey Richards and Takeshi Morishima

The Result: Davey busted out a new finisher to claim the win.

What They’re Saying About it: Davey looks amazing after his time in Japan.

What the Result Tells Us: Davey needed his heat back after losing to Roderick.

The Match: El Generico vs. Taiji Ishimori

The Result: Ishimori came out ahead here.

What They’re Saying About it: This was fun and athletic. Generico vs. fliers (Kota, Pac, Sydal) is always awesome, so this doubtless continued the trend.

What the Result Tells Us: NOAH hates having their guys lose to DG guys.

The Match: Eddie Edwards vs. Kazushi Miyamoto

The Result: Miyamoto won when Sweeney interference backfired.

What They’re Saying About it: Sweeney drew awesome heat here. That’s all anyone has mentioned.

What the Result Tells Us: Sweeney can draw heat anywhere.

The Match: Tyler Black vs. Austin Aries

The Result: Aries won with the Last Chancery.

What They’re Saying About it: This is guaranteed a hot opener.

What the Result Tells Us: Tyler’s big win will come against Nigel.

Weekend Previews: 9/19 from Boston- PPV Taping

ROH World Title Match: Nigel McGuinness © vs. Roderick Strong

Why it’s Happening: Roderick got a huge win in the Fight Without Honor two PPVs back, then got a rub teaming with Marufuji beating Hero and Go Shiozaki. This is a rematch of Without Remorse where Nigel was face and Roderick was heel.

What to Expect: Nigel is an awesome heel and Roderick is awesome at taking a beating then making incredibly stiff comebacks. Awesomeness is awesome.

Who Should Win: This should go to a 60-minute draw to elevate Roderick.

Who Will Win: Nigel will win to look unstoppable going into his Danielson match at the next PPV.

ROH World Tag Team Title Match: Tyler Black and Jimmy Jacobs © vs. Kevin Steen and El Generico

Why it’s Happening: Steen and Generico have been fighting for this title shot for ages. They finally get it here.

What to Expect: These are probably the two top teams in ROH. Expect them to try and steal the show.

Who Should Win: Steen and Generico are ready for the tag titles in another huge face run.

Who Will Win: Steen and Generico. It’s telegraphed, but it makes awesome sense.

Elimination Match: Bryan Danielson vs. Go Shiozaki vs. Claudio Castagnoli

Why it’s Happening: Claudio, a title contender at the last PPV, has to go heel here since he’s now feuding with Danielson. This will likely end up a number one contenders match, as Danielson finishes the final two men Nigel defeated on PPV in order to get his title shot.

What to Expect: Danielson and Claudio will bring the hate, while go bring the chops.

Who Should Win: Danielson should earn his title shot here.

Who Will Win: Danielson will win while his opponents heel out.

Tag Team Scramble: The Briscoes vs. Ruckus and Jigsaw vs. Jason Blade and Kenny King vs. The Necro Butcher

Why it’s Happening: Blade and King get to debut on PPV, while Necro gets to look a badass going it alone.

What to Expect: This seems like a spotfest where everyone flips and Necro punches ‘em out.

Who Should Win: King and Blade could use a win to begin to get established in ROH.

Who Will Win: Homicide and Punk each once won as singles in tag scrambles. Necro will likely continue that tradition.

Brent Albright and Erick Stevens vs. Eddie Edwards and Adam Pearce

Why it’s Happening: Albright and Stevens both hate Sweet and Sour, Inc.

What to Expect: This should be a straight tag formula match with Stevens selling on the hot tag for Albright. The heels will be very devious here.

Who Should Win: The heels really need a win as they have been dominated in this feud. I’d guess a Stevens turn is here.

Who Will Win: The heels have to eek this out cheaply or the feud is basically done.

Also Booked: Jerry Lynn, Austin Aries, Chris Hero, Delirious, Chasyn Rance, Rhett Titus, and more!

Weekend Preview: 9/20 from Philadelphia’s New Alahambra/ECW Arena – Glory by Honor VII

Steel Cage Warfare: The Briscoes and Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black and Delirious vs. Necro Butcher

Why it’s Happening: This is War Games style. Jacobs and Black hung the Briscoes, beat them regularly and took their titles. Aries took Lacey from Jacobs and Jacobs in turn spiked Lacey, leading to their heated feud. Aries trying to destroy the Age of the Fall got Necro Butcher to leave the group and he’s now a solo wildcard.

What to Expect: War Games are automatically awesome matches. This will be a memorable, potentially classic brawl.

Who Should Win: Necro because it would be absolutely awesome to see him kill both groups.

Who Will Win: Jimmy Jacobs will win somehow since he’s evil and cause a near riot.

ROH World Title Match: Nigel McGuinness © vs. El Generico

Why it’s Happening: Nigel wanted a match with Generico since he beat Steen three times. Generico took him to the limit in a classic and earned a rematch.

What to Expect: Generico will sell like a beast and get near-falls while Nigel lariats him to bits, similar to the Tyler match from Take No Prisoners

Who Should Win: Nigel has a date with Danielson, Marufuji and Tyler remaining.

Who Will Win: Generico winning is being heavily teased, so he won’t, especially off a loss to Taiji Ishimori of all people.

Kensuke Sasaki vs. Claudio Castagnoli

Why it’s Happening: Kensuke, a special attraction, needed a heavyweight to face. Claudio stepped up.

What to Expect: Kensuke will give Claudio a bit, but win in a short match working very stiff.

Who Should Win: Kensuke is the GHC Champion and isn’t losing to CC.

Who Will Win: Kensuke is a legend and isn’t losing to CC.

GHC Jr. Title Match: Katsuhiro Nakajima vs. Bryan Danielson

Why it’s Happening: It’s a dream match. Nakajima is a future Ace in Japan and Danielson wanted the match. This is my favorite American wrestler vs. my favorite Japanese wrestler. The title on the line is huge.

What to Expect: This will be, at worst, **** and has the potential to be so much more.

Who Should Win: Danielson should never lose… Ever.

Who Will Win: Danielson will likely win in a pretty big upset so that the GHC Jr. Title doesn’t change hands outside of NOAH twice within a week and because Danielson is touring with NOAH next month.

NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Brent Albright © vs. Adam Pearce

Why it’s Happening: Pearce recruited Albright into the Hangmen’s 3 then sold out to Larry Sweeney. Albright felt betrayed and hated Sweeney, so he turned face and then took Adam Pearce’s NWA title at Death Before Dishonor VI.

What to Expect: These two stole the show at DBD VI. They’ll have a harder time of that here, but will naturally put on a hell of a show to prove the first match wasn’t a fluke.

Who Should Win: Albright should end his involvement with Pearce by winning here.

Who Will Win: Albright is too over to give up the belt.

FIP World Heavyweight Title Match: Go Shiozaki © vs. Kevin Steen

Why it’s Happening: Steen wants gold and has defeated Shiozaki at Eye of the Storm.

What to Expect: This should be solid and hard hitting, though with the rest of the card, they won’t try and steal the show here with a ton of fighting spirit like they otherwise might.

Who Should Win: Go should keep the belt for a bit. The FIP Title has floated around a bit much this year.

Who Will Win: Steen doesn’t work FIP, so Go should be fine.

Kenny King vs. Jerry Lynn

Why it’s Happening: King is trying to prove himself in ROH against a legend.

What to Expect: This should be a fun, fast paced match that Lynn walks King through to see what the kid has.

Who Should Win: Lynn should win to remain upper-midcard.

Who Will Win: Lynn just can’t lose in the ECW Arena!

Erick Stevens vs. Rhett Titus

Why it’s Happening: Stevens needs someone to beat on?

What to Expect: Stevens smash.

Who Should Win: Stevens should get an easy win.

Who Will Win: Stevens SMASH!

Jigsaw and Ruckus vs. Chris Hero and Eddie Edwards

Why it’s Happening: This is tag filler.

Who Should Win: Hero and Edwards are both being pushed while Ruckusaw have become jobbers.

Who Will Win: Does Jigsaw ever win anymore? Hero and Edwards win.

That’s it for this week. Come back this weekend to Pulse Wrestling for Full Reviews of each show and be here Tuesday morning for my new WWE column, The Wrestling Analyst.

Glazer is a former senior editor at Pulse Wrestling and editor and reviewer at The Comics Nexus.