Indeed he did, to new champion Nigel McGuinness. The daily ROH Newswire (from ROH's website) reports McGuinness has already agreed to his first title defense, vs. Roderick Strong at Glory By Honor 4 on 9/17. He even pulled himself out of the "Survival Of The Fittest" tournament the following week, he's that confident he'll defend the title the week before. Samoa Joe is now in the tourney. I also read there was some kind of post-show altercation between Homicide & Colt Cabana, more on that in a couple days; Aj also was able to go through with his match against CIMA despite injury concerns-word was it was another awesome match that CIMA won. Funny situation with Daniels as well-initial reports were he couldn't appear, but then he showed up and wrestled as Curry Man (beat Shingo Tagaki). Then later Daniels showed up again!
8/30 Edit: Today's ROH news-Two new matches have been signed for Glory By Honor 4 on 9/17: James Gibson vs. Bryan "American Dragon" Danielson for the ROH Title (at Danielson's request), and Colt Cabana-Homicide as a result of the events described above. Also, Gibson defends the title at an FIP (Full Impact Pro, a Florida Indy) card Friday vs. Roderick Strong, so the above match could change. Additionally, BJ Whitmer is out of Survival Of The Fittest on 9/24, he will instead get a Pure Title shot that night against the McGuinness-Strong winner; Jerrelle Clark has been added to the SOTF field.

This message was edited by SummonerSupreme on Aug 30 2005.

More big news from ROH today concerning upcoming shows:
At Glory By Honor 4 next Saturday (9/17), Mick Foley makes his final ROH appearance in a tag match with A.J. Styles vs. Jimmy Rave & Prince Nana in an Anything Goes Finish Match. Only rules is you can win only via Rave or Styles Clash, and the loser can never use that move again. The other big match that night is James Gibson-Bryan Danielson for the ROH Title. If Gibson can retain the belt there, then he will defend against Christopher Daniels at SOTF one week later. It also will be aqualifying match for the 6 man elimination Main Event that evening. Also added to the field is Japanese star Milano Collection AT, making his ROH debut.
Man, 2 absolutely beyond loaded weeks of ROH shows coming up. I hope Gibson wins next weekend because I'd love to see that title match against Daniels at SOTF.

They need to show this on PPV somewhere. I'm thinking Rave will be losing that match, seeing how the Styles Clash is overly popular. I wouldn't mind seeing Daniels as the RoH champion as well as the X-Division Champion.

A big update from the ROH Newswire today: Look for Austin Aries and Steve Corino (yes, that Steve Corino!) to possibly get ROH World Title shots on the 10/14 & 10/15 shows, respectively. Corino's was slated for 10/16/04, but he had to cancel due to his Japan commitments, although he still had the contract ROH sent to Japan's Zero-One promotion, which Corino worked for. These matches will depend on who the Champion is at the time.
Roderick Strong vs. Jerrelle Clark has been added to the 9/24 show. it will be a SOTF Qualifying match.
Jimmy Yang will work the 10/14 show, and more dates later on after he finishes up some international dates.
Prince Nana warned AJ Styles and Mick Foley that they better be ready for a war this Saturday in Long Island. Nana says he has the military on alert in Ghana and Jimmy Rave will be armed with lots of "weapons." Of course the match between Styles and Rave will have no referee and no rules this Saturday! That could be interesting. For those who don't know, Nana is a legitimate prince of the Ashanti (I think) tribe in Ghana, so it's not just a gimmick.

Highlights from the big 9/17 show this past weekend: The big news is that Bryan "American Dragon" Danielson is the NEW ROH World Champion. He & former Champ James Gibson went over 30 minutes in what was said to be an outstanding match, and the crowd gave Gibson a nice sendoff (he's headed back to WWE). Also, because Jimmy Rave lost to AJ Styles (with Mick Foley), there is now a stip that Rave cannot use his Rave Clash ever again. Foley also cut a great promo before leaving, and despite having a 4 AM flight stayed around to sign autographs and other stuff, which was nice...they also said Rave did an excellent job of selling the result of his match with Styles during this. Nigel McGuinness also beat Roderick Strong to retain the Pure Title.

I figured Rave would lose that match, considering how popular AJ Syles is with his Styles Clash finisher.

How long do you suppose it'll be before RoH gets on PPV? I'm hoping by mid-2006, but the WWE is cutting through them and trying to snatch talent away. I still love this regained partnership between RoH and TNA, and getting to see RoH matches on the TNA PPV's. Can't wait for Homicide to hop on over and have a match or two down here in Orlando.

ROH seems to be more focused on mail-order videos, plus they are adding more free video content to their website. As long as that part of the business stays lucrative they'll probably stick to that and slowly continue to expand their house show schedule before trying PPV. I'd say 1-2 years.

Edit: According to the ROH Newswire today, ROH is going to introduce a new trophy/title soon-the Top Of The Class Trophy will be contested exclusively among graduates of the ROH Wrestling School, who often get matches and ring time about 40 minutes before ROH cards begin. The trophy will be held by the best graduates, who will defend against others. Sounds like yet another great idea and a nice way to recognize these guys for their training and hard work.
Here is the current card for 10/1 in Philly: Kenta Kobashi vs. Samoa Joe; Nigel McGuinness defends the Pure Title vs. Jay Lethal; James Gibson vs. Jimmy Yang; Jimmy Rave with Prince Nana vs. Roderick Strong; Homicide vs. Jack Evans; Colt Cabana vs. Claudio Castagnoli, ROH Tag Team Champions BJ Whitmer & Jimmy Jacobs have an open challenge for a title shot plus more to be announced next week with Christopher Daniels, Matt Sydal, Ricky Reyes, Azrieal and more!!!

Here is the current 10/2 Philly lineup: Kenta Kobashi & Homicide vs. Samoa Joe & Low Ki; James Gibson in his final ROH match vs. Roderick Strong; Christopher Daniels vs. Jimmy Yang; Colt Cabana vs. Jack Evans; Jimmy Rave vs. Matt Sydal; the new authority figure will be announced plus more to be signed next week with ROH Pure Champion Nigel McGuinness, ROH Tag Team Champions BJ Whitmer & Jimmy Jacobs, Tony Mamaluke, Sal Rinauro, Claudio Castagnoli, Lacey's Angels including the return of Izzy & Deranged and more!!! Kobashi will also be available for a meet and greet to sign autographs.
This Saturday is the big Survival Of The Fittest card featuring the much-hyped singles match between James Gibson & Christopher Daniels. Had Gibson not dropped the ROH Title to Danielson, this match could have been for the title.

This message was edited by SummonerSupreme on Sep 20 2005.

I live in Australia and have never seen a ROH match. But after all I have heard like The Code of Honor, Pure Honor Matches(I think thats what its called) and the ROH Pure Title I am starting to want ROH in Australia!

Not only do I like the way ROH is set out I also like the fact there are so many amzing superstars in ROH! Including AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Jimmy Rave, Austin Aries and Jack Evans. Not to mention others who are in WWE now such as Paul London and Spanky. Also others that are in TNA now such as Amzing Red, Raven, Chris Sabin, Abyss and Petey Williams.

In my opinion I think that ROH would be a good installment to Austrlian Television. Even though it will not compete with WWE for a long time. ROH has fresh, young talant short promos long matches and something WWE doesn't have and thats True Wrestling Honor!

Here are results from ROH's "Survival Of The Fittest" event held this past Saturday night:

quote

Looked to be about 400-500 people but thats all the place would hold. Not
really a great venue as it was difficult to see the action on the mat. They
are returning on January 13th

SOFT Qualifiers

Jay Lethal pinned Sal Rinauro with a dragon suplex. Lethal's family was in
attendance.

Colt Cabana pinned Ricky Reyes with a lariat. Cabana wore polka dot tights
and did a lot of Dusty Rhodes mannerisms.

Roderick Strong made Jerelle Clark tap with his boston crab like submission.
Clark did some impressive flyinh and got a "Please come back" chant

Austin Aries beat Jimmy Rave by DQ when Prince Nana hit Aries with a chair.
Strong made the save

Samoa Joe pinned Milano Collection AT with the muscle buster. Match of the
night. Milano got a standing ovation and a "please come back"chant as well.

Christopher Daniels pinned James Gibson with the Last Rites in a great
match. Daniels busted open hardway on the top of his head. After the match
Daniels put over Gibson for his contributions to ROH

Devito and Shane Hagadorn beat two ROH students in the post intermission
match.

Nigel McGuiness pinned BJ Whitmer in a pure title match. McGuiness hit a low
blow and then rolled up Whitmer in the ropes after Whitmer had used all his
rope breaks.

Survival of the Fittest 6 way Elimination match

Story of the match was Strong and Aries teaming to beat everyone

Roderick Strong pinned Samoa Joe after Daniels hit the BME on him and Strong
followed up with a backbreaker.

Austin Aries pinned Daniels after a roll up on a blind tag from Strong

Strong pinned Lethal after Aries hit the brainbuster

Strong pinned Cabana after Aries botched a 450 and appeared to hurt himself.
Strong called an audible and piledrove Cabana for the pin

Aries cut a promo talking about how they were friends but now they were
going to hold nothing back against each other.

Strong made Aries tap to his boston crab finisher. After the match they
celebrated together while Strong cut a promo challenging Dragon for the
title on 11/29 in CT.

Sounded like yet another solid card, too bad Gibson is now going back to WWE because he did a great job with ROH.
Edit: Some notes/items from today's ROH Newswire:
This weekend's shows (Saturday and Sunday) mark the hugely anticipated ROH debut of puroresu legend Kenta Kobashi. One of the shows has a major singles match between Kobashi & Samoa Joe.
A 4 Corners Survival Match has been added to Sunday's show. It will be Nigel McGuinness vs. Jay Lethal vs. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Davey Andrews. Either McGuinness or Lethal will enter this match as Pure Champion, but the title will not be on the line.
Although it was said above that Strong's title shot would be on 11/29, it's now scheduled for 10/29 contingent on Danielson retaining the ROH Title until then. If Danielson emerges from that match as Champion, his next defense would be 11/4 against Chris Sabin, who signed an open contract for a shot.
Milano Collection AT will return to ROH on the 11/19 show.
More matches for Saturday's show will be announced tomorrow on the Newswire.

9/27 Edit: Notes from today's Newswire:
Two more matches have been signed for this Saturday in Manhattan. There will be a three-way elimination match pitting Christopher Daniels vs. Matt Sydal vs. Azrieal. Also signed is a singles match pitting Tony Mamaluke vs. Sal Rinauro.
Whoever the ROH Tag Team Champions are on 10/2 will defend the belts that night in Philly. ROH is looking to restart the tag team division in a big way this weekend. There should be more about this on the Newswire tomorrow.
The ROH Website is now selling an August tape of OVW featuring booking by Paul Heyman. They are also doing a sale where if you buy $50+ you get anything $15 or less free. This does end tomorrow, though.
The new authority figure debuts this Sunday in Philadelphia. The authority figure said he will make sure there are satisfying finishes to matches and clear winners and losers once he takes power.

This message was edited by SummonerSupreme on Sep 27 2005.

Results from ROH's big Saturday show featuring Kenta Kobashi:
First up, the new authority figure was revealed Sunday...JIM CORNETTE!!! Take that, Vince!
Match 1-Claudio Castanogli beat Colt Cabana.

Match 2-Christopher Daniels beat Matt Sydal & Azrael.

Match 3-Sal Rinauro & Tony Mamaluke beat BJ Whitmer & Tony Jacobs to become NEW ROH TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS.

Match 4-Nigel McGuinness beat Jay Lethal to retain ROH Pure Title.

Match 5-Roderick Strong beat Jimmy Rave. After match Rave & Prince Nana jump Strong and beatdown until Jade Chung made save and turned on Nana. Reports are she had on quite the hot outfit too. Look for Jade & Strong to maybe face Rave & Nana at Steel Cage Warfare in December (NYC).

Match 6-Ricky Reyes beat Billy Primo (ROH student) in under a minute.

Match 7-James Gibson beat Jimmy Yang. This was Yang's ROH debut & Gibson's next-to-last ROH match.

Match 8-Jack Evans beat Homicide.

Main Event: In what those who saw it are calling the greatest ROH match ever, Kenta Kobashi beat Samoa Joe. Below is a report from Clancy Gilpatrick, a frequent contributor to Wrestling Observer who was at the show:

quote

Crowd was chanting Kobashi very loud for a long time. Joe got a hyooge reaction when he came out and was wearing his "mean face" Kobashi came out and the roof blew off the place. Holy shit is Kobashi a big dude. What an amazing aura about him as well.
Guys measured each other up for a while and then they locked up and went to the ropes. Joe slapped the taste out of Kobashi's mouth on the break. Kobashi gave him THE LOOK. Another lock up and Kobashi chops the *bleep* out of Joe on the break. Holy shit was that an awesome chop. Joe put Kobashi thru the ropes and hits a dropkick thru the ropes that sends Kobashi into the rail and then follows it up with the world's phattest elbow suicida. Back in the ring Joe slaps on the Stretch Plum and Kobashi makes the ropes. Joe chops Kobashi and he chops Joe back with 4 big chops. Then they had a standoff with Joe hitting Kawada kicks and Kobashi hitting sick chops. These were the greatest chops I have seen. Joe then puts Kobashi down with knees to the head. Outside Joe Ole kicked Kobashi thru the rails. Set him up for a 2nd Ole kick but Kobashi cut him off with a chop. He then sat Joe in the chair and hit him with a chop that sent him flying from the chair into the first row. YAY Kobashi!!! Back in the ring, Kobashi slaps on a choke and Joe makes the ropes. Joe's chest is a bruised mess right now. Kobashi then lays into him with shoot Karate chops. They then have a back and forth chop fest that looks brutal. Kobashi puts on an abdominal stretch. Kobashi switches to face lock and unloads with karate chops to the head. He then went for his spinning back fist but Joe blocked it with an STO and followed it with his running senton. He then hit 15 kicks and chops while Kobashi was seated. Joe then picked up Kobashi and powerbombed him into the turnbuckles. Joe is a very strong man. He followed it up with his face wash and then Joe hit the MUSCLE BUSTER for a 2 3/4. Holy shit that was awesome. Joe then hit his powerbomb/STF combo and they fought over the STF for awhile and Kobashi made the ropes. Kobashi comes back and dropped Joe right on his head with a half nelson/German. Alright Kobashi is a very strong man as well. Then, Kobashi put Joe in the corner, fired up and hit 100 chops in a row. Kobashi is the greatest wrestler of all time. 2-count broken up by Joe putting his foot on the ropes. Kobashi then put on the sleeper. Joe fought for the ropes and Kobashi changed his grip and then DROPPED JOE RIGHT ON HIS HEAD WITH THE GREATES SLEEPER SUPLEX EVER!!!!!!! That was amazing. Joe fought back and went for the lariat but Kobashi blocked it with a lariat of his own. He then decapitated Joe with an awesome lariat and pinned him. *****
Crowd went absolutely apeshit for the finish and was 1000% into the match from start to finish. This match would have been an awesome main event for NOAH Tokyo Dome show let alone an ROH show.

The moment this show's tape is put up on ROH's website I'm buying it. Sounded like it could very well be wrestling's 2005 MOTY and then some.

quote

and hit 100 chops in a row

Holy crap! Hahaha. Does the RoH site have all of their tapes up or just the newer ones? I'll definitely get this in a few months or so.

I think it's just the older ones right now, but someone mentioned (either a fan who sent in a report or the Newswire) that "hopefully it'll come off on tape as good as it did in person". Given how long it seems to take ROH to get tapes of shows out, I imagine we'll get our first crack at picking up this show sometime in January.
In the tag match from Sunday, Kobashi & Homicide beat Joe & Low-Ki.
Edit: The ROH Newswire reports that production on the tape of Saturday's show will begin any time now. There will be no commentary during the Kobashi-Joe match.

This message was edited by SummonerSupreme on Oct 04 2005.

I wouldn't mind with the no commentary if it's the same announcer they had since their early days, since I've watched old matches with AJ Styles in there before and didn't like the announcing at all. With cutting my cable and getting a cheaper apartment next May (though I may get my cable back when I move), I should be able to afford a few RoH tapes by then.

Another big announcement on the Newswire today: Final Battle 2005 (December 17th, Edison, NJ) will feature Japanese stars KENTA (the protege of Kenta Kobashi) and Naomichi Marufuji competing against top opponents, to be named at a later date. KENTA & Marufuji compete primarily in Japan's NOAH and also in the WLW promotion.
Matches for Saturday's Woodbridge, CT show include Bryan Danielson defending the ROH Title against Roderick Strong, Pure Champion Nigel McGuinness in a 4 corners Survival Match (unknown if the title is on the line), and matches to determine the first "Top Of The Class" trophy winner among students of the ROH Wrestling School. The finals are set for 11/19, with someone facing Davey Andrews. This event is open to all ROH Wrestling School students-a new class starts soon with tryouts happening on Sunday.
ROH also made some broadcast booth moves, demoting Jimmy Bower from announcer to office lackey. Interesting move where ROH is trying to show they're committed to having top-flight talent in the booth as well as in the ring.
Expect more matches for 11/4 in Detroit and 11/5 in Chicago announced tomorrow.

Another huge Newswire update today:
It seems that this past Saturday's Bryan Danielson-Roderick Strong ROH Title match got so ugly & out of control at times that there's going to be a rematch this Saturday in Chicago for the belt. ROHwrestling.com hopes to have some video of what happened in the match up sometime today. Danielson is scheduled to defend the ROH belt against Chris Sabin Friday in Detroit. If Danielson is still Champion after Saturday, his next defense is 11/19 against the winner of a 3-way involving A.J. Styles, Christopher Daniels, & Matt Sydal. Winner gets the shot that night.

Because of the rematch, Strong is out of the Eight Man Tag Team War this Saturday. His spot will now be filled by A.J. Styles. The match is Austin Aries, AJ Styles, Jack Evans & Matt Sydal vs. The Embassy of Jimmy Rave, Alex Shelley, Abyss & Prince Nana.

ROHwrestling.com now has the "Joe vs. Kobashi" megacards from early October in stock and ready to go on VHS. Both shows from the weekend are available including the "no commentary" singles match shot from 3 different camera angles. At this time it is only available on VHS.

Friday's Detroit show features a Pure Title match between Nigel McGuinness & Claudio Castagnoli.

Dunn & Marcos return to ROH on the 11/19 Long Island show.

Next week ROH will announce the rules for Steel Cage Warfare on 12/3 in Manhattan. Also look for announcements soon regarding opponents for Naomichi Marufuji & KENTA for the 12/17 Edison, NJ show.

11/3 Edit: Due to suffering a concussion in the last few days, Tony Mamaluke is off of this weekend's shows. (He's out of wrestling indefinitely) Because of this, Friday's Tag Title match is now Non-title, and Chad Collyer will team with Sal Rinauro vs. Roderick Strong & Jack Evans. Saturday Castagnoli will now face BJ Whitmer.
Video from Danielson-Strong last Saturday is now on ROH's website. It's about 2 minutes of highlights of when it got out of control, mainly after some hard chops (including the one that was said to actually break some blood vessels) then Strong gave Danielson a very hard shot to the head-it might've knocked him out. Strong & the ref checked on Danielson, the match soon resumed, and momets later Danielson made Strong tap to an armbar after a heated exchange. A shouting match ensued as Strong left the ring quickly and returned to the back. Below is the link to the video:
http://www.rohvideos.com/wrestlers/BryanDanielson_11_05.wmv

11/7 Newswire Notes:
The first major announcement regarding Japanese stars KENTA & Naomichi Marufuji was made today: At Final battle 2005 Kenta will face Low-Ki. And here's the exciting part: If KENTA is still the GHC (NOAH) Jr. Heavyweight Champion going into the card, the match will be for the title!

Jade Chung apparently suffered a broken cheekbone in an incident after the Chicago show this past weekend. Roderick Strong, Jimmy Rave, & Prince Nana were all involved.

Jim Cornette should have 2 major announcements regarding the 12/3 show this week: The rules for Steel Cage Warfare and another match for the card.

Claudio Castagnoli vs. Milano Collection AT has been announced for Long Island on 11/9.

The much-anticipated "Joe Vs. Kobashi" DVD will begin shipping this week. The few copies on sle at shows this weekend went extremely fast.

Key results from the Chicago show this past Saturday:
Samoa Joe beat Christopher Daniels in just under 21 minutes.
Homicide & Colt Cabana went to a no contest.
In the ROH Title rematch following their prior brutal match finish, Champion Bryan Danielson beat Roderick Strong via ref stoppage in 47:25. Another vicious match that saw Strong very bloody at times including at the end.
In the 8 Man War Main Event, The Embassy beat AJ Styles & Generation Next. Shelley & Rave pinned Sydal & Aries simultaneously for the win.
Other notes: Rave's new finisher is actually the Pedigree, and former ROH Champion C.M. Punk was also in the crowd.