Some may look at a show like this and automatically make comparisons to WrestleMania. Obviously they can never compete with the WWE, at least in terms of production value, but ROH has always stood out for its in-ring quality, which I think is why the WWE has gone after so many of Ring of Honor's stars in the last couple of years. It's for that very reason that I can't help but include at least one ROH show in my 'Best of' picks for the year-end awards, and this is usually the one that stands out above the rest.
For those of you who have been reading my posts in the lasts couple of years, you may have noticed that I typically don't use the same format for my ROH and TNA predictions as I do for my WWE ones, which are more detailed. This is mostly due to the fact that I don't follow ROH or TNA as closely as WWE, at least not recently, but also because the ROH and TNA shows focus more on matches and less on story lines. What I mean is that they play to their strengths, and there is no room for backstage segments or interviews.
So instead of predicting everything from start to finish, I will simply just list the matches, and provide my thoughts and predictions for each of them.
Here ya go...
The Young Bucks vs. The All Night Express vs. The Briscoes in a triple threat match to determine number one contenders for the ROH Tag Team Championships
For those of you who have been reading my posts in the lasts couple of years, you may have noticed that I typically don't use the same format for my ROH and TNA predictions as I do for my WWE ones, which are more detailed. This is mostly due to the fact that I don't follow ROH or TNA as closely as WWE, at least not recently, but also because the ROH and TNA shows focus more on matches and less on story lines. What I mean is that they play to their strengths, and there is no room for backstage segments or interviews.
So instead of predicting everything from start to finish, I will simply just list the matches, and provide my thoughts and predictions for each of them.
Here ya go...
The Young Bucks vs. The All Night Express vs. The Briscoes in a triple threat match to determine number one contenders for the ROH Tag Team Championships
This is going to be a show-stealer for sure. I haven't really watched ROH since ANX made their return at the last pay per view, but any one of these teams could potentially win this one, and I think we're getting a lot of super kicks at some point, which is one prediction that I think we can definitely agree on. The Bucks have been putting on match of the year quality performances in almost every match they've been in this year, and I think the one that stood out the most was that great one with ReDragon at the ROH anniversary show. The Briscoes have kind of cooled off since teaming up again, and honestly, I think they would both be better off as singles wrestlers at this point, so with that said, I believe you can count them out. I see a Briscoes mistake near the end of the match, which teases their break-up and leads to a Young Bucks victory. I don't see them doing the title match right away, as I can see a potential feud with The Bucks against ANX, where ANX loses this match, but is not involved in the decision, and they claim that they are the uncrowned number one contenders, which leads to maybe a best of seven, where with the winner of that series finally gets the title shot.
"Unbreakable" Michael Elgin vs. Moose
"Unbreakable" Michael Elgin vs. Moose
This is such a terrible match for Elgin. Moose has got to be one of the worst wrestlers in the business, in my opinion. His promos are terrible and he's very limited in the ring, but he does seem to have the fans behind him, which is why I just can't pick him for worst wrestler. All that said, I think Elgin is probably the right opponent for Moose, as it'll definitely bring out the best in him, and this will probably be the best match Moose will have. I really hope they don't have Moose win this match, but stranger things have happened. Despite my wishful thinking, I think Moose will get the nod here, with help from Hathaway.
Alex Shelley, ACH and "#Reborn" Matt Sydal vs. The Addiction and Chris Sabin
Alex Shelley, ACH and "#Reborn" Matt Sydal vs. The Addiction and Chris Sabin
This should be a very hot opener and another potential show-stealer. I really like The Addiction and despite the fact that this should be an awesome match, I don't think this is the best use of them, as I think they should be much higher up the card. In fact, I think they should have had the title match with The Kingdom. It'll be interesting to see Sabin and Shelley back in the ring together, and on opposing sides. And then there's ACH and Sydal, who have torn the house down as opponents, and are now teammates. It's going to be hard to pick a standout in this one, but ultimately I think the fact team will pick up the win here, with Shelley pinning his former teammate Sabin, and hopefully leading to a feud between the two.
Dalton Castle vs. Silas Young
Dalton Castle vs. Silas Young
It's kind of hard to get behind a guy like Castle, who has a gimmick that is naturally suited for a heel, but now we're supposed to feel sorry for him that he's lost his lackeys. I wasn't impressed with the match these two had at the last pay per view, but I think they'll continue feuding, which means Dalton's boys will turn on him, leading to Young's victory.
Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly
Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly
I'm a big fan of both of these guys, and I think this is the perfect feud, as they not only have a history as former partners and opponents, but they also have tremendous chemistry in the ring. I really liked the match they had in 2012, where Cole got his teeth knocked out, and I'm sure they'll have their working boots on for this one as well. I can't see the feud ending here, and because of that, I'm going to say Cole gets the win here through underhanded tactics, and then O'Reilly gets his revenge in a stip match at the next pay per view.
Bobby Fish vs. Roderick Strong for the ROH Television Championship
Bobby Fish vs. Roderick Strong for the ROH Television Championship
This match kind of makes sense, as Fish came so close to winning the title from Jay Lethal at the last show, but I am kind of surprised that Fish seems to be higher on the card than his ReDragon teammate Kyle O'Reilly. I was never very high on Roderick Strong though. I think Strong is a great wrestler, but his look is kind of generic, and I never really bought him as a top star. Given the fact that he just recently won the title, I think Strong will hold onto it here, and then maybe a feud with BJ Whitmer? Matt Sydal? ACH? Anybody but Moose.
War Machine vs. The Kingdom for the ROH Tag Team Championships
War Machine vs. The Kingdom for the ROH Tag Team Championships
I'll admit that War Machine has a unique look for an ROH tag team, but that's about all. They're not terrible in the ring, but they're all that impressive either. But in that case, I guess The Kingdom is the right team to be in the ring with them, as they can just bump like crazy for the bigger guys. I think Maria will end up involving herself in this one by flaunting her goods to distract the evolutionary dead ends, which leads to Bennett or Taven rolling up their bigger adversary for the win.
Jay Lethal vs. AJ Styles for the ROH World Heavyweight Championship
Jay Lethal vs. AJ Styles for the ROH World Heavyweight Championship
This should be another fantastic match. I still remember the great match these two had in TNA when Lethal was only 20, and that one was only about five minutes. Imagine what they can do here, when they both have 9 years more experience and plenty of more time. Both guys are booked on the Wrestle Kingdom 10 shows, but I really hope that card really is subject to change, because if not, it's pretty easy to predict a Jay Lethal victory here. I don't see that happening though, and I think Lethal has had a long enough run with the title that he no longer needs it, so I'm going to go with AJ getting the big win and bringing more gold to The Bullet Club.
So there you have it.
What do you think?
So there you have it.
What do you think?