On September 26Th 2009, at the Manhattan Center New York City, ROH will say good by to too of its very best. Destined for the WWE, Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness will wrestle there last Ring Of Honor match, against one an other infront of a sold out crowd, to conclude the "Final Countdown" tour.
While for Danielson this move makes perfect sense, he's achieved everything he ever could on the indy circuit, had great matches with almost everyone to ever step into a ROH ring and made about as much money as anyone could expect to working sometimes in front of as little as 500 fans. In all honestly Dragons loyalty and determination can not be called into consideration, he wanted to be a champion in Japan, and new this couldn't happen with the WWE, so despite there interest, he hang around to fulfil this goal. Also, despite William Regal talking him to the WWE, and JR singing his praises for the best part of two years now, he stayed to pursue the tag titles, maybe be a two time champion, and help establish Tyler Black. It seems fitting that Danielson will in fact work his final months with the company without a contract, it optimises his attitude, he's owes this company nothing, yet stays for his love and passion for it. At only 28, and his body still reasonably intact, now seems the perfect time to slow down, while still taking a run and being a major household name in Pro-Wrestling.
As for Nigel? Well he certainly wont be calling the WWE Universe "Wankers", nor will he be shouting "Up Yours everyone!" during his entrance and using that familiar "V" has his hand gesture. Factor in his references to veterans like Jerry Lynn as "Geritol Lynn", and its fair to say he probably wont be getting too much face time with Triple H and the likes, but what Nigel does have that the WWE will like, is there style of ring work. He has been criticized in ROH for his over use of his lariats, but his slower style will fit in with the WWE, he garners great heat, and even tho it was such a long time ago now, he was one of Ring of Honor's more popular baby faces at a time. Some have labeled Nigel a "big man wrestler" in fact rumour is that William Regal has been pushing for him to be brought is as just that, if they use him as a power house, he'll be there second best one, easily.
What of Ring Of Honor then? Losing to former champs, and two of there biggest names, well, keep strong and carry on. Lets take a look at though's who most need to step up and fill the void.
5) Mark and Jay, The Briscoe Brothers.
With two of the premier single performers in ROH gone, the tag team division will need to show why it has always been called just as important as the World Title. With Mark now back from injury, The Briscoe's are arguably as over as they've ever been, and a money feud between them and The American Wolves, or the emerging "Young Bucks" and "Dark City Fight Club" could ease the blow substantially.
4) Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards, The American Wolves.
Speaking of the tag team division, 2009 tag team of the year contenders, Edwards and Richards, have more than stepped up there game, and with a "tag team classic" in Toronto against Black and.....Danielson already in the bank, they preppier to step into Ladder War II against Steen and Generico in Manhattan, which has to be a memorable match to end that feud. Richards is undoughtably the better of the two, and following his MOTY contender with KENTA in Houston, he has "Future World Champ" written all over him, however the timing of any break up for that singles run is more than crucial.
3) Chris Hero
Jerry Lynn is aging, Danielson and Nigel are leaving, Aries is champ, but who will Black Wrestle when he wins it? Apparently the penny dropped for Hero when he saw a lack of main eventers in ROH and picked up his act. "That Young Knock out Kid" has a nice ring to it, and with the gimmick of Mitsuharu Misawa having handed down to him the green elbow pad, he has a complete heel package that could see him move above the likes of Roderick Strong, Brent Albright, Colt Cabana and Claudio Castagnoli out of the mid-card to a fuller role. His recent outing with KENTA showed his main event potential, that needs to be fulfilled. Who's Pearce's Hero?
2) Austin Aries
"A-Double" has re-invented himself more than enough times during what is still a relatively short carear, but the "Greatest man who ever lived" can acredit just that to why he is the first two time Ring of Honor World Champion. He stepped up his game, made himself fresh, and got over all over again. Jerry Lynn was never the fans first choice to beat Nigel, but neither was Aries, so why is no one complaining now? Cause he's that good. He'll surely now be the champion to give Black his moment, but when then moment will be is any ones guess, it couldn't be in Manhattan to truly make that a membrable night could it? We'll see, what ever happens, Aries will be just as vital to ROH after his title run, as during it.
1) Tyler Black
The chant "NEXT WORLD CHAMP! NEXT WORLD CHAMP!" has been going around for so long it may be starting to lose credibility, but Tyler isn't. ROH on HD-Net may not be the most important part of Ring of Honor, but when Tyler edged Danielson in a decider between the two, the torch was passed, Black was the golden boy, and over the next few years he will have to prove it. Still ridiculously young, he has the weight of a company on his shoulders and the pressure to do as Dragon did, have great matches with, any size, any time. When Black becomes the World Champion he will have stop being carried and start carrying, his time is coming and he seems to be ready.
But will these men be enough? Is the lose of Danielson, one of only three men to have competed on ROH's first ever show, too much to overcome? Can Nigel's heat and charisma be replaced in a dressing room lacking in mic skills? People asked the same questions when CM Punk, Homicide and Samoa Joe left, you remember the ROH "Icons/Kings" right? To get answers to these questions, ask a ROH fan how many of them thought "Mclarriet" would have stepped up and become the second longest reigning champion ever. Some one will step up, more than likely there name is above, but we'll see.
- Richard Lewis
While for Danielson this move makes perfect sense, he's achieved everything he ever could on the indy circuit, had great matches with almost everyone to ever step into a ROH ring and made about as much money as anyone could expect to working sometimes in front of as little as 500 fans. In all honestly Dragons loyalty and determination can not be called into consideration, he wanted to be a champion in Japan, and new this couldn't happen with the WWE, so despite there interest, he hang around to fulfil this goal. Also, despite William Regal talking him to the WWE, and JR singing his praises for the best part of two years now, he stayed to pursue the tag titles, maybe be a two time champion, and help establish Tyler Black. It seems fitting that Danielson will in fact work his final months with the company without a contract, it optimises his attitude, he's owes this company nothing, yet stays for his love and passion for it. At only 28, and his body still reasonably intact, now seems the perfect time to slow down, while still taking a run and being a major household name in Pro-Wrestling.
As for Nigel? Well he certainly wont be calling the WWE Universe "Wankers", nor will he be shouting "Up Yours everyone!" during his entrance and using that familiar "V" has his hand gesture. Factor in his references to veterans like Jerry Lynn as "Geritol Lynn", and its fair to say he probably wont be getting too much face time with Triple H and the likes, but what Nigel does have that the WWE will like, is there style of ring work. He has been criticized in ROH for his over use of his lariats, but his slower style will fit in with the WWE, he garners great heat, and even tho it was such a long time ago now, he was one of Ring of Honor's more popular baby faces at a time. Some have labeled Nigel a "big man wrestler" in fact rumour is that William Regal has been pushing for him to be brought is as just that, if they use him as a power house, he'll be there second best one, easily.
What of Ring Of Honor then? Losing to former champs, and two of there biggest names, well, keep strong and carry on. Lets take a look at though's who most need to step up and fill the void.
5) Mark and Jay, The Briscoe Brothers.
With two of the premier single performers in ROH gone, the tag team division will need to show why it has always been called just as important as the World Title. With Mark now back from injury, The Briscoe's are arguably as over as they've ever been, and a money feud between them and The American Wolves, or the emerging "Young Bucks" and "Dark City Fight Club" could ease the blow substantially.
4) Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards, The American Wolves.
Speaking of the tag team division, 2009 tag team of the year contenders, Edwards and Richards, have more than stepped up there game, and with a "tag team classic" in Toronto against Black and.....Danielson already in the bank, they preppier to step into Ladder War II against Steen and Generico in Manhattan, which has to be a memorable match to end that feud. Richards is undoughtably the better of the two, and following his MOTY contender with KENTA in Houston, he has "Future World Champ" written all over him, however the timing of any break up for that singles run is more than crucial.
3) Chris Hero
Jerry Lynn is aging, Danielson and Nigel are leaving, Aries is champ, but who will Black Wrestle when he wins it? Apparently the penny dropped for Hero when he saw a lack of main eventers in ROH and picked up his act. "That Young Knock out Kid" has a nice ring to it, and with the gimmick of Mitsuharu Misawa having handed down to him the green elbow pad, he has a complete heel package that could see him move above the likes of Roderick Strong, Brent Albright, Colt Cabana and Claudio Castagnoli out of the mid-card to a fuller role. His recent outing with KENTA showed his main event potential, that needs to be fulfilled. Who's Pearce's Hero?
2) Austin Aries
"A-Double" has re-invented himself more than enough times during what is still a relatively short carear, but the "Greatest man who ever lived" can acredit just that to why he is the first two time Ring of Honor World Champion. He stepped up his game, made himself fresh, and got over all over again. Jerry Lynn was never the fans first choice to beat Nigel, but neither was Aries, so why is no one complaining now? Cause he's that good. He'll surely now be the champion to give Black his moment, but when then moment will be is any ones guess, it couldn't be in Manhattan to truly make that a membrable night could it? We'll see, what ever happens, Aries will be just as vital to ROH after his title run, as during it.
1) Tyler Black
The chant "NEXT WORLD CHAMP! NEXT WORLD CHAMP!" has been going around for so long it may be starting to lose credibility, but Tyler isn't. ROH on HD-Net may not be the most important part of Ring of Honor, but when Tyler edged Danielson in a decider between the two, the torch was passed, Black was the golden boy, and over the next few years he will have to prove it. Still ridiculously young, he has the weight of a company on his shoulders and the pressure to do as Dragon did, have great matches with, any size, any time. When Black becomes the World Champion he will have stop being carried and start carrying, his time is coming and he seems to be ready.
But will these men be enough? Is the lose of Danielson, one of only three men to have competed on ROH's first ever show, too much to overcome? Can Nigel's heat and charisma be replaced in a dressing room lacking in mic skills? People asked the same questions when CM Punk, Homicide and Samoa Joe left, you remember the ROH "Icons/Kings" right? To get answers to these questions, ask a ROH fan how many of them thought "Mclarriet" would have stepped up and become the second longest reigning champion ever. Some one will step up, more than likely there name is above, but we'll see.
- Richard Lewis
