The Sinclair Era of Honor: ROH Taping Preview



Last chance at seeing the Kings of Wrestling in ROH?

This weekend, Ring of Honor takes a big step towards making an impact in the mainstream professional wrestling world, with the first tapings of the Sinclair broadcasting taking place in Chicago Ridge this coming Saturday. The upper-brass at ROH hasn't pulled any punches with the card, pulling out some of the best matches they could, making this resemble a iPPV card of sorts.  Jimmy Jacobs returns to action for the first time in Ring of Honor since the collapse of the Age of The Fall, all three title belts under the ROH banner are being defended in world class matches, and Truth Martini makes two appearances at the very least! *troll face*


Despite the amazing card, and all these returns and headline grabbing matches, the biggest to come out of these tapings could be the final appearance of the Kings of Wrestling in any capacity in Ring of Honor. As pretty much everyone on the Internet knows, both Claudio and Chris have been offered contracts with the WWE, and we couldn't be happier for them. They will co-main event the card with their attempt at regaining the World Tag Team Championships facing current champions Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas, and if anyone is going to steal the show this weekend, look towards the Kings to provide yet another stellar match in 2011. These two teams have been putting on great matches since their first face of last year.

The undercard is going to provide some interesting matches. Tommaso Ciampa will more than likely continue his undefeated streak, as he is facing the rather inactive Andy 'Right Leg' Ridge. Here's hoping Ciampa doesn't almost murder Ridge with that powebomb/lungblower hybrid, like he could have done with Colt Cabana (another future WWE signing? God I hope so!). The aforementioned Jimmy Jacobs will be battling Mike Bennett, who has been a thorn in the side of his friend Steve Corino for the better part of 8 months. Bennett is still chasing his promise of gaining the ROH World Championship, and with his pretty poor run recently, he seems to be getting further and further away. Four of the youngest, hottest prospects in ROH at the moment face each other in a classic tag match, as Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly continue their feud with Lance & Harlem Bravado, in a match that will be very solid, at the bare minimum. Closing off the undercard will be former World Champion, Eddie 'Eddie Edwards' Edwards facing of against the breakout star of 2011, Michael Elgin, who is quickly becoming one of my favourites in ROH.

Business really picks up in the final four matches, with any of the bouts potential show stealers. 'Day One' boys Mark & Jay Briscoe face The All Night Express (Rhett Titus & Kenny King), furthering their sick blood feud, which has really grabbed the limelight in 2011, and pushed ANX into the upper-echelon of Ring of Honor talent. Their past contests have been absolutely brutal, and I'd be a little surprised if this was anything but a nasty brawl. The first of the three title matches is the new Television Champion, El Generico (a person favourite of every person to blog about the indys) defending his belt against Hydro/Black Machismo/RPM, Jay Lethal. This match, will be amazing. If anything, this would be the match you should show to casual fans to drag them into ROH. The highflying skill matching Rey Mysterio or Sin Cara (and a lot crisper as well), mixed with the brutal head drops that make any casual fan's jaw drop.


Main event of the Saturday tapings.



Your final match of the night, is a rematch from Final Battle 2010, with the roles reversed. Current World Heavyweight Champion (and Tom Holzerman's favourite all-time wrestler, just ahead of SHINGO) Davey Richards, facing of against one of my favourite in-ring guys, Roderick Strong (I don't like how two of my favourites are associated with Truth Martini). This will be a stiff, strike-based match, Davey will do his pseudo-fighting spirit, and beat the ever loving Christ out of Roderick to finish the match. We all know that's how it'll end. I really do respect the intensity and passion Davey has for wrestling, and especially for ROH, it's really getting to be rinse & repeat at the moment with Davey. Whilst Roderick's "strong" points aren't his words, he still is one of the most consistent performers in the ring that ROH has, and will still put on an amazing performance on Saturday.

 If you get a chance, please go to this. It's a great opportunity, and honestly, you won't get a better card for any type of professional wrestling television taping.