RING OF HONOR 14th ANNIVERSARY PREVIEW!

Hello fellows and shooters alike, welcome to the first of potentially many snapshot previews. Unlike my New Japan and WWE previews/reviews, these will be shorter and less detailed. The Chikara, Ring of Honor, and Evolve (and sometimes NoAH and CZW events that I end up covering) will be under these type of previews and reviews due to less exposure to the companies. With Chikara and Evolve, I’m mostly relying on facebook and PwPonderings to get results, and while I am able to watch Ring of Honor, it’s a bit tough since I try to watch so much in a week (I can only see them at 1 am on Saturday nights/Sunday Mornings) and with a few new life opportunites musically. 

That being said, Ring of Honor on Friday is having their 14th Anniversary show tonight, Friday the 26th of February. Pardon me if I don’t have the entire storyline behind the matches, but I’ve followed enough to get the majority of the matches. 

One final Note: The matches aren’t exactly in match order....just in order of how I think each match truly affects the ROH storylines. 

Match 1:Alex Shelley vs. Christopher Daniels

If memory serves me correctly, for a good while, Daniels had been teaming with Shelley’s former tag partner, Chris Sabin, and Shelley had recently returned to ROH for the first time since his stint with the Embassy. Daniels, leading the Addiction, has basically been on a tirade on how Shelley’s on the wrong side.

Two of the cornerstones of TNA’s X-Division in this match, and on most other cards would be considered a potential show stealer even at Daniels’s advanced age. 

I wish I could give more info, but I’ll take Daniels in this matchup. If Shelley’s going to win the feud, it would be against his old stablemate Sabin. 

Match 2: Okada vs. Moose (w/ Stokely Hathaway)

This match is one of the many Ring of Honor/New Japan showcases pitting a star from each side. I find it interesting that Moose is going to get his opportunity to make a name for himself on the international scene going against the Current IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada. Moose is a freakish athlete from the DC area (if I remember correctly) who has a cool exit out of his Spear finisher, as well as an impressive dropkick. Watching him live was impressive, but I don’t know if he’s less green now. Okada is THE MAN with the Championship right now, there’s no way in hell he loses.

P.S. Stokely Hathaway is fine....except in CHIKARA. GIVE DUSTIN THE RIGHTS TO CHUCK TAYLOR BACK ALREADY!

Match 3: Dalton Castle vs. Hirooki Goto

Similar to the second match, this is also a ROH/New Japan showcase. However, between Goto and Castle, Castle is definitely winning this one. Goto is coming off of a loss against Okada for the title, whereas Castle is the hottest act in Ring of Honor outside of the champions. 

Match 4: Michael Elgin & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. The Briscoes

Probably the biggest showcase of the ROH/New Japan matches, the posterchild of the Tag Division, The Briscoes (Mark and Jay) are coming off a successful first trip in New Japan. Elgin just signed with New Japan for two years and Tanahashi is the Man in New Japan. My guess is Elgin and Tanahashi take the win, especially since the Briscoes just lost the NEVER Openweight Titles for the Second time. 

Before I continue, there’s a possibility of also seeing Silas Young (The Last Real Man), Cedric Alexander and Veda Scott, and CHEESEBURGER!!!!!!!!

Now, here’s the back half of the card.

Match 5: Adam Page vs. BJ Whitmer

Grudge match between these two. The Decade’s arrogant leader, BJ Whitmer, has pretty much driven every person away from him (great heel), with his former young boy Page as the latest dude. Whitmer’s obession with psychologically torturing Mr. Wrestling 3(Steve Corino?) must have gotten to Page.

I’ll give this one to Whitmer....unless Corino is revealed....then Page wins. 

Match 6:ROH Tag Team Championship
No DQ

War Machine vs. All Night Xpress

War Machine is a dominant Viking Championship team. All Night Xpress is a pair of sleazy dudes not named Joey Ryan. Hanson and Rowe are going to absolutely demolish Rhett Titus and Kenny King. 

There’s not much else to it. Nothing against the Xpress. 

MATCH 7:NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship

Bullet Club (Kenny Omega & Young Bucks) (c) vs. ACH, Matt Sydal & Kushida

There’s always seems to be something magical with any title with the acronym NEVER. Whether it’s the Single or the Six Man Tag, they tend to be Match of the Year candidates. Considering the talent:NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Champs The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega (Who is also the IWGP Intercontinental Championship), the always amazing ACH, 1/2 of the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Champions Matt Sydal, and the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion, KUSHIDA......it’s going to be crazy.
Bullet Club/Elite retain. 

Semi-Main Event:ROH World Television Championship

Roderick Strong (c) vs. Bobby Fish vs. Tomohiro Ishii

Originally, it was supposed to be between Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish, who have been feuding for the last few months (or at least since Final Battle.) Roddy vs. the World......and then he lost the title to Tomohiro Ishii (Just as a heads up, the Honor Rising reviews are on the way along with the Niigata review)

With the wild card of the triple threat thrown in, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if this is the start of the ReDRagon singles era....I’ll go with Bobby Fish pinning Ishii. 

MAIN EVENT: ROH World Championship

Jay Lethal (c) (w/ Truth Martini) vs. Kyle O’Reilly vs. Adam Cole

Cole and O’Reilly have been feuding for YEARS, both as top contenders for the ROH World Championship (Cole being a previous title holder). Lethal has held the title since Best in the World last summer, defeating Jay Briscoe. Lethal is one of, the best wrestlers in the world. However, tonight the numbers game(as much as the rivalry is in his favor) are going to screw him over, and Kyle O’Reilly will make Adam Cole (BAY BAY) tap out and he’ll finally take over as Top Dog in ROH!

Thanks guys, the Niigata, Honor Risings, and PWG ASW 11 nights are on the way!!!!!!!

WHEN IN DOUBT, WATCH WRESTLING!