One of the best Ring of Honor cards in recent memory, I can’t wait to see this show when it becomes available onDemand. It’s a shame ROH couldn’t figure out how to solve their iPPV problems because this could very well have been among their most viewed events.
Stacked from top to bottom with incredible and eclectic outside talent, I’m expecting a show of the year candidate.
Forever Hooligans vs. The American Wolves:
Should be fantastic. Davey Richards and Rocky Romero in No Remorse Corps were one of my favorite ROH tag teams so it will be cool seeing these two interact. Two of the best tag teams in the world facing off can’t not produce good results.
With the reDRagon rematch already booked for NYC and the Wolves lack of ROH contract security, I can’t see another tag title change happening this weekend.
Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Forever Hooligans win.
Kevin Steen vs. Brian Kendrick:
Like I mentioned in my ROH Title Tournament preview, I’m very fond of Brian Kendrick’s recent work so I have high expectations for this match. With the lack of matches announced for the NYC show in just two weeks, I’m hoping great performances from guys like Kendrick, Paul London, Kushida and the Young Bucks will lead to announcements of them all being booked for Manhattan Mayhem. I can only dream. This match should all sorts of wonderful, especially in front of that Canadian crowd.
Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Kevin Steen wins.
Michael Elgin vs. Paul London:
Most would predict this to be the match of the night. London looked great in his ROH return vs. Davey and Elgin has the best matches on the card most nights. The styles between these two have to equate to an awesome match.
If they’re really going with Elgin as the next champ, I’d put this as the main event to set the tone for the future. (Reminder: Paul London is the coolest.)
Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Michael Elgin wins.
Matt Taven vs. Roderick Strong:
This is the most I’ve looked forward to a Strong in quite some time. It feels like he’s faced everyone on the roster many times, so finding a fresh Roddy match-up is fantastic. Taven has impressed me on the last few shows so it makes this match even more desirable.
(Side note: I don’t know what exactly Taven’s finisher is but he did a variation of a frog splash on a recent show that was visually incredible. I’m hoping he uses it more often.)
Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Matt Taven wins.
Michael Bennett vs. BJ Whitmer:
The rubber match in their series. I enjoyed the subtle (and the not as subtle) changes Bennett has made recently. Giving this feud a proper end with some significance involved is a nice touch. I really hope Bennett wins. I’m just not a big Whitmer fan.
Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Michael Bennett wins.
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Silas Young:
These two had a good match a few weeks ago and Silas Young has been having an absolutely fantastic string of matches in ROH that have went under the radar. Obviously Ciampa wins and keeps his momentum going.
Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Tommaso Ciampa wins.
Adam Cole vs. Jay Lethal:
Shocked this match was taking place on this show. I fully expected all second round matches to happen in NYC. Regardless, the match should be very good and a possible match of the night candidate.
Two of my favorite all around performers on the indy scene. Selfishly, the lack of Adam Cole on the Manhattan Mayhem talent list is heartbreaking.
Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Adam Cole wins.
The Young Bucks vs. C&C Wrestle Factory vs. Adrenaline RUSH:
This is going to be awesome. The Young Bucks status with ROH is anyone’s guess in terms of future shows. If this is the worst case scenario aka their only appearance, I’m glad they will be having some interaction with ACH. Coleman and Alexander are really underrated and sadly an afterthought in ROH but maybe they can get a buzz going with a big performance here.
Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Young Bucks win.
Kushida vs. Adam Page:
This blows my mind on so many levels. I love Kushida due to his work as half of the Time Splitters with Alex Shelley and have wanted them in ROH as a team but always thought Kushida being in ROH was a pipe dream. Now Kushida IS in ROH but without Shelley. And is facing a new guy who hasn’t been on a big show yet. It’s all so weird… but in a good way.
Page looked excellent in his TV match vs. Silas Young and has a HUGE opportunity here. It wouldn’t surprise me if this match stole the show. I just need Kushida in my life.
Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Kushida wins
Thanks for reading and feel free to chat all things ROH with me on Twitter: @typicalROHfan