I guess
it was bound to happen eventually. All year we've seen young
wrestlers make there way into ROH for a couple of shows, helping to
lower the value of each that came around.
Meanwhile,
the iPPVs weren't too bad in that aspect. There were a few young
stars on the past few iPPVs this year but not enough to overthrow a
card stacked with more established ROH stars than what looked like
developmental stars more than anything.
As I
said, it was bound to happen eventually. This Saturday, ROH hosts
their annual 'Death Before Dishonor', a show that's been consistently
great for years. This year though, the good run could possibly end.
While
the card is still containing some great wrestlers, it's hard to
ignore how many newcomers are on the card. Irish Airborne, Silas
Young, Tadarius Thomas, ACH and even Mike Mondo, Caprice Coleman and
Cedric Alexander to a lesser extent.
Looking
at all those new guys, who most of which probably won't even get a
permanent spot on the roster, is it really best to have them all
showcased on iPPV?
Aren't
iPPVs meant to have a big night feel? We all know ROH are certainly
capable of pulling off such a feel to their shows, but this one just
seems a tad lazy.
You have
the likes of The Young Bucks and TJ Perkins still on their 'Summer
break' from Ring of Honor but are nowhere to be seen on this card.
Instead, we're greeted with people most of us haven't even heard of.
Maybe
ROH are acting a big cheap and don't want to splash some cash on some
of the more well known, and regular names. Or maybe they really want
to give these young guys a chance on PPV. Really, whatever it is,
it's still not exactly a proposal that appeals to many ROH fans.
I'm sure
the show will be good. The likes of Kevin Steen, Adam Cole and
Michael Elgin will surely deliver on the night, and I'm sure one or
two of the younger wrestlers will catch the eye of fans. But, it just
doesn't feel like enough.
If I was
able to watch WWE's Night of Champions on Sunday I probably wouldn't
need my fix and so, wouldn't need to order this PPV. But, I need to
see one wrestling show before I go back to college on Monday so this
will have to do. I swear to God ROH, if you waste my Saturday night
I'll... probably keep giving you money. But God dammit, I'll be even
more reluctant to do so.
“MATT
HARDY RETURNS TO ROH!!!”
The
reason this is in quotations is because, well, it's taken directly
from the ROH website. Myself, I wouldn't put the announcement in bold
capital letters, and the not one, not two, but three exclamation
marks is a bit much but hey, whatever gets them excited.
You have
to wonder if this is what ROH thinks will get people to buy the PPV.
I mean, at the end of the day it's only Matt Hardy. I don't mind him
being in Chicago for the show though, just as long as that it doesn't
lead to anything. Lord knows that the last thing ROH needs is another
that's just being booked because he's well known. ROH should know
that big names don't men big draws, but unfortunately I don't think
they know that. If ROH keep this going they'll be like TNA in 2006 in
no time.
The
House of Truth (Roderick Strong & Michael Elgin) vs. Irish
Airborne (Jake & Dave Crist)
It's
been hinted for months now that Michael Elgin is about to disband
from The House of Truth and turn face, but it still hasn't happened.
Quite frankly, I kind of don't want it to happen, because I think
Roderick Strong and Michael Elgin are a fantastic tag team.
The mix
between Roderick's quickness and Elgin's strength works very well
together, and there chemistry together is effortless. Also, they're
both hard-hitting wrestlers who can get a reaction out of a crowd –
together, they can get big reactions.
I get
that Elgin has to turn face considering the reaction he is getting,
but it is still a shame to see him break up with Roderick (it sounds
like they're dating, doesn't it?) It would have been cool to see them
break away from The House of Truth together (now it sounds like a
love story) and turn face, thus ensuring that they can still be a
unit (OK, now I'm just messing).
Anyway,
despite all that, this match-up should still be entertaining. I don't
know anything about Irish Airborne so I really can't comment on them,
but I don't think it matters who Strong and Elgin face.
Winners:
Irish Airborne
Jay
Lethal vs. Homicide
I don't
think I could care any less about this match if I tried. I know that
Jay Lethal is good, but there's still just something about him I
don't like. And as for Homicide, well, I know why I don't like him.
In terms
of expectations, it's kind easy to know what to expect. A 10 minute
match filled with the ever under-motivated Homicide working on Jay
Lethal, with Lethal then coming back and getting the victory with a
Lethal Injection out of nowhere*
That's
fine for people that are fans of both of these men. But for those
that aren't, it'll probably just be usual thing you'd see from them.
*Honestly, don't count on me getting that prediction right. I'm generally wrong about these types of things. A lot.
Winner:
Jay Lethal
Survival
of the Fittest Qualifying match
Tadarius
Tomas vs. Silas Young
Two
people I simply don't know, so it's hard to say a whole lot on this
match. From ROHwrestling.com's preview of the PPV, I see that
Tadarius Tomas is an expert on Capoeira, so if he's anything like
Eddy from Tekken then we're sure to be in for a treat.
And then
there's Silas Young, who although has competed in ROH a few times
over the years, I still don't know anything about him.
With
Tadarius Tomas having competed most recently on ROH on SBG, I suppose
I'll go with him to get the victory.
Winner:
Tadarius Tomas
ACH vs.
Kyle O'Reilly
ACH
makes his ROH debut against the highly annoying, yet highly talented
Kyle O'Reilly. Like at 'Caged Hostility' over a week ago, don't be
surprised if Davey Richards comes to ringside to watch Kyle in action
once again.
If it
does happen I don't expect him to cost Kyle the win, but I would
expect their story to be developed a bit more. Again, if it happens.
As for
the match, I don't know what to expect from ACH, but I do know what
to expect from Kyle O'Reilly. With that said, I expect this to be a
solid bout, as O'Reilly has proven he can work anyone to a decent
bout.
Winner:
Kyle O'Reilly
ROH
World Television Championship
Adam
Cole vs. Mike Mondo
Despite
not being a fan of Mike Mondo, I'm remaining optimistic about this
match tomorrow night. That's because since his debut in ROH, Mike
Mondo has been involved in some very solid matches according to many
fans. The first came in a match against Davey Richards a while ago
which went to a time limit draw, while the other against Roderick
Strong at Boiling Point proved to be a very entertaining opening
bout.
I'm also
optimistic about this match because he's facing the TV champion, Adam
Cole. Adam has been on a roll in 2012, easily becoming one of the
most exciting young wrestlers on the independent circuit, so it's
fair to say that we're not going to be treated to anything less than
a good match.
Winner:
Adam Cole
New ROH
World Tag Team Champions Will Be Crowned
If ever
there was an indication that the tag team division is very weak, this
is it. While this tournament will surely have its high points, its
hard to see it being anything but average at best.
While
the semi-finals feature the ever great Briscoes as well as the unique
team of Jimmy Jacobs and Steve Corino, there's also the bland Caprice
Coleman and Cedric Alexander (C&C), as well as the unfamiliar
pairing of Charlie Haas and Rhett Titus.
That's
why the semi-finals might not be anything great. First up we have
Jacobs and Corino against C&C, a match-up that may not light the
world on fire. While Caprice and Cedric have clearly worked hard to
make an impression in ROH since their debut, they're still a team
that just don't seem to have that spark.
Next up
there's The Briscoes vs. Charlie Haas and Rhett Titus, a match that
almost feels all too familiar. In 2011 we saw a big Briscoes vs. ANX
feud, and in mid 2011 to mid 2012, we saw a Briscoes vs. WGTT feud as
well. The pairing of Titus and Haas, while new, just just doesn't
feel that fresh thanks to who they're facing. The match should be
good, even if Haas and Titus might find it hard to get good chemistry
as a team.
After
the finals, I see it being Corino and Jacobs taking on The Briscoes.
This is where it gets promising. An established team against a paring
that is helping create havoc in ROH. It's a good match-up (if it
happens of course) and could make for a solid bout.
As for
the winner, it's hard seeing it going to The Briscoes once again. And
with Kevin Steen on a rampage as World champion, it would be fitting
to have Corino and Jacobs join him as Tag Team champions as well.
Winners:
Steve Corino & Jimmy Jacobs
ROH
World Championship
Kevin
Steen vs. Rhino
In what
has been a pretty underrated title run thus far, Jim Cornette has
picked yet another challenger to Kevin Steen's World championship,
the “War Machine” Rhino.
While
I've not always been the biggest fan of Rhino, I have been impressed
with his latest run in ROH. He looks focused, determined, and is
surprisingly over with most ROH fans in attendance.
Tomorrow
night, he takes on Kevin Steen, in what should be an interesting
contest. Both men are generally more suited to facing people slightly
smaller than them, but both men should still be capable of working
well together.
Is it
the most captivating main event for a Death Before Dishonor show?
Probably not. But, they could have gone with worse.
I expect
there to be a good few interferences in this bout. On Rhino's side we
have Truth Martini and possibly Roderick Strong, while over on
Steen's side we have Steve Corino and Jimmy Jacobs. This could be
very much be like Steen's defence at Best in the World in the way
that there'll be a lot of outside interferences, and may also be like
his last defence against Eddie Kingston in that it'll be two
heavyweights putting on a hard-hitting match.
I'm
optimistic that this will be another solid title defence from Kevin
Steen, and I hope I'm right. It's a match that could very well make
or break the PPV.
Winner:
Kevin Steen
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