The biggest night in the history of two promotions is here. Here are my predictions and thoughts on the show
Pre-Show
Kagetsu, Jenny Rose, and Hazuki vs. Hana Kimura, Shella Grey, and Sumie Sakai
I have no idea who is going to win this. But I've learned over the year of following ROH somewhat regularly to never bet against Sumie Sakai. Therefore, I'm going with Sakai, Grey and Kimura
Prediction: Sakai, Grey, and Kimura
Honor Rumble
It's always hard to predict who is going to win a battle royal. That being said, there are two men I see right now on the Honor Rumble list that could win this: Jushin Thunder Liger and Jonathan Gresham. I'm going with Liger for the feel good story. That is, unless Minoru Suzuki makes a surprise appearance. In that case, I'm going with Suzuki.
Prediction: Liger
Main Card
Title for Title
Will Ospreay (NEVER Openweight Champion) vs. Jeff Cobb (ROH TV Champion)
This is the hardest match for me to choose from. On one hand, I can see Cobb tearing Ospreay apart once he gets his hands on him. On the other hand, I can see Ospreay becoming the guy to overcome Cobb's abilities and using his aerial maneuvers to catch Cobb for the 3. In my mind, I see Ospreay going for the Oscutter, but Cobb counters it and turns it into the Tour of the Islands. Therefore, I'm going with Jeff Cobb to become double champion.
Prediction: Jeff Cobb
Rush vs. Dalton Castle
I don't see Rush losing his first really big match for ROH here. This will be a very good match with both men hamming it up in their own ways for the crowd. But in the end, Rush is going to be too much.
Prediction: Rush
Women of Honor Championship
Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Kelly Klein
I really don't know what to think. I was surprised when Iwatani beat Klein in the first place. If forced to make a decision, I have to think that Klein is going to recapture the title here.
Prediction: Kelly Klein
New York City Street Fight
Bully Ray vs. Juice Robinson
This is going to probably have plenty of run-ins from Bully's allies and from Lifeblood (along with a couple surprises). Bully is at the point in his career where he is going to put people over on his way to retirement. But Bully can still go and perform at a good level. So, you know this is going to be a really fun, entertaining hardcore match. But Juice is winning this.
Prediction: Juice Robinson
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship
Taiji Ishimori (c) vs. Dragon Lee vs. Bandido
Dragon Lee isn't on NJPW TV enough to get a consideration in this match. Bandido is an ROH talent that COULD possibly win this championship and work both companies for a short while. But Ishimori continues to be a great performer for the Jr. Heavyweight division and should maintain his standing as its champion.
Prediction: Taiji Ishimori
Title for Title
Guerrillas of Destiny (IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions) vs. PCO/Brody King (ROH Tag Champions) vs. Evil and Sanada vs. The Briscoes
First, The Briscoes don't need more championships. They've won about 10 ROH Tag Team Championships alone, if I remember correctly. And while I get that ROH is promoting Villain Enterprises, PCO and Brody King are already 6-Man Tag Team Champions. So, it's a bit of an overkill to have them hold both Tag Team and 6-Man Tag Team Championships. So, it leaves me with G.O.D. and Evil and Sanada. And to me, it's a coin flip between either team. I'm going with the feel good moment though as Evil and Sanada holding two pairs of Tag Team Championships would be a great sight.
Prediction: Evil and Sanada
British Heavyweight Championship
Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
The logical thing to say would be that Sabre, the Brit in this match, would retain the championship. But there's a couple things to consider: Sabre has beaten Tanahashi several times in the past. In addition, Ishii had defeated Sabre last year for the British Heavyweight Championship last year and was defending it against Minoru Suzuki several times (Cheap Plug: Reviews of the Suzuki/Ishii matches can be found on this blog). I just think that Tanahashi is going to win his first and perhaps only match in Madison Square Garden. The Ace is taking this in my opinion.
Prediction: Hiroshi Tanahashi
IWGP Intercontinental Championship
Tetsuya Naito (c) vs. Kota Ibushi
This is perhaps the second most difficult match to predict in my opinion. Naito really could give a damn less for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship as a character. He literally drags the championship around like a piece of garbage, a reflection of his disrespect for that title and what it cost him 5 years ago at Wrestle Kingdom. Meanwhile, Ibushi is someone that really could use the championship to take him to the next level. But will he do that at the expense of Naito?
I don't think so. I just can't see Naito losing the title on this show quite yet. He may drop it at Dominion in June, but I don't see it happening here.
Prediction: Tetsuya Naito
Ladder Match
ROH World Championship
Jay Lethal (c) vs. Marty Scurll vs. Matt Taven
It's time for Marty Scurll to climb that ladder. I have nothing but respect for what Jay Lethal has done in ROH. He's helped carry the company through this rough transition to the post-Elite era. And Matt Taven is a solid performer saddled with a terrible stable. (No one buys a ticket to see The Kingdom.... except maybe the dozen or so who cheer for them in the 200 seat shows that ROH can sell most days.) Meanwhile, Marty Scurll has been the guy who has continued to be teased as a world champion only to never be able to break through. Tonight's that night in my opinion. If they still have him under contract for a year, why not use him? Put him over so you can put someone else over later if he decides to head out when his contract expires.
Prediction: Marty Scurll
IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Jay White (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada
I'm making this short: Okada is not losing in The Garden. White may turn around and get the belt back at Dominion or earlier. But Okada is not losing tonight. This show ends with Okada regaining the IWGP Heavyweight Championship when many in the world are going to be watching.
Prediction: Kazuchika Okada
This show is going to be amazing and a moment. It's an invasion of WWF/WWE's home base building for the first and likely only time. It's time for both companies to do EVERYTHING possible to leave its mark on this weekend. Because there will never be a better time than tonight to get people to notice them. If they fail this, Ring of Honor could be in trouble (in particular). For ROH, tonight is do or die with AEW coming in a little under 2 months. We'll see if they rise to the occasion.
Check back here tonight for coverage of the show. Also, this weekend, I'll be reviewing a couple other independent wrestling shows from the weekend. And, of course, I'll be reviewing WrestleMania 35 and posting a review by late Sunday Night.
Until next time, take care of yourselves. Spread some awesomeness.
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