Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
On Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 10:54 AM EST

Since I will be in the third row for Glory By Honor IV out at Sports Plus in Lake Grove, Long Island, it's only fitting to put up some predictions. I also will pick for the pay per view tomorrow night in Oklahoma City for that other company. Just kidding, or am I? Anyway, I will be back later in the weekend with a review from the third row at Glory By Honor IV. Here are the picks, ladies and gentlemen. Debate me, if you dare.

Austin Aries vs. Azrieal
This is a rematch from a segment ROH did on the WB morning show prior to their last major block of appearances in the New York area. While Azrieal is a tremendous competitor who showed a great deal of tenacity in his loss to Roderick Strong back in July at Sign of Dishonor at Sports Plus, Aries is one of the cornerstones and the top tier of the ladder in ROH. He is in line for a title shot at the first possible opportunity, either at James Gibson for the ROH World strap, or Nigel McGuiness and the Pure title. I would suspect ROH will continue to push the GenNext leader towards his eventual date with destiny.

Winner: Austin Aries

Four corner Survival match
Ricky Reyes vs. Adam Pearce vs. ROH Tag Team Champion BJ Whitmer vs. Samoa Joe
I have not had the opportunity to see Pearce or Reyes compete, but Reyes will be accompanied to the ring by Julius Smokes, which makes his advantage slightly more apparent than the other three combatants. Whitmer is a powerhouse and a tremendously gifted tag team competitor, but without the HUSS of the Hilbilly JesHUSS tag team, aka his partner and fellow tag champion Jimmy Jacobs, I would suspect Whitmer may be in some trouble in this match. As I said before, this is Pearce's debut in ROH, and I have never heard of him previously, so honestly, I can't make a legitimate comment on him. However, the same cannot be said for the Samoan Submission Machine, and one pissed off former Pure and World Champion. Samoa Joe, coming off his defeat to Nigel McGuiness for the Pure title, and more recently, not being successful in his attempt to capture the TNA X Division title at Unbreakable, is liable to be in one violent mood come GBH IV. I would suspect the other three members of this contest to feel his rage and suffer for it, considerably. You'd be a fool not to take this guy, he is that dominating and that intimidating when he's in a good mood.

Winner: Samoa Joe

Colt Cabana vs. Homicide
The Notorious 187 is a street brawler of epic proportions, and, as said before, with Smokes at his side, he is a handful, to say the least. Cabana has the talent, and the toughness to compete with the Rottweiler leader, but can he outlast the numbers game is the real question on the table. I would have to say no. Without his long time friend CM Punk, Classic Colt Cabana may be in for the toughest road to hold, grudge or no grudge. Give the victory to 'Cide, but let's give Cabana his props. Anyone who is gutsy enough to come to the ring to "Copa Cabana" by Barry Manilow has GOT TO BE one tough sumbitch.

Winner: Homicide

For the ROH Pure Wrestling Championship, Nigel McGuiness defends against Roderick Strong
I am not 100% sure how this match, or this title, is defended, so I can't comment on the substance of the match, but I can tell you this. At Sign of Dishonor in July, I saw both of these competitors perform. Strong had an amazing contest with Azrieal, while McGuiness slept walk through his victory over Vordell Walker. I think also McGuiness, who has been competing at Ohio Valley Wrestling, may indeed have some more higher aspirations than the ROH pure title. I don't think Strong will take this one, as I am certain ROH officials will like nothing more than to have McGuiness take a pounding at the hands of Samoa Joe at his rematch which is upcoming. However, this one is a virtual pick 'em match. It would not surprise me, either which way it turns out.

Winner: Nigel McGuiness

In a Fight Without Honor, Jay Lethal meets Low Ki
I have seen Lethal twice. In July, Lethal competed in the opening tag match, then had a tremendously talented showing in a contest that he had ZERO prep time for against then ROH World Champion CM Punk. I have heard of Low Ki. His reputation is staggering. Smokes is a busy man tonight, with three men competing from the Rottweiler faction. Again, I have never witnessed a "Fight Without Honor", so I am not certain the scope of the contest, but once again, the numbers game will be difficult as hell for Lethal to overcome. Lethal could be the next breakout star in Ring Of Honor, he has all the tools. However, I suspect Low Ki will take it to the streets, literally, and come up with the hard fought win.

Winner: Low KI

In an Anything Goes Finisher Match, AJ Styles meets Jimmy Rave
Rave has Prince Nana in his corner, Styles has Mick Foley in his corner The only way to win is to hit your finishing maneuver, either the Rave or the Styles Clash.

This one is going to be brutal. No referee will be in the ring. These two men, actually four men, honestly, will go at it with no limitations. Styles was choked out with a plastic bag at Sign of Dishonor by Rave and Nana, and wants revenge for the debauchery that the Embassy has caused. He has the ultimate backup in the hardcore legend, Mick Foley in his corner, in Foley's final appearance in Ring Of Honor prior to returning to the WWE. This type of match worries me from a brutality aspect for AJ Styles, as I don't know if he is well versed in the aspect of hardcore ECW style wrestling, which this one is liable to break down in to, but Styles has been a winner in Ultimate X, and if he can survive that one and win, he can probably survive anything. The Embassy has been on the precipice of causing major controversy with their treatment of Jade Chung, and I would suspect that it will all come to a head at this show. The only wildcard for this one could be either Alex Shelley or the Killer, Mike Kruel. If they interject in this match, it could mean trouble for Styles and Foley. On paper, as a whole, AJ Styles is by far and away the more talented competitor. If the numbers get too far, who knows. I am going to take AJ to win it, because I think ROH will want to send Mick out on a high note, but there will be a serious price for this one, whichever combatant wins.

Winner: AJ Styles ( The Loser of this match can never use his finishing maneuver in ROH matches again )

For the ROH World Championship, James Gibson defends against the American Dragon, Bryan Danielson
It is so thrilling to see James Gibson with a World title. He seemed to have so much fun competing at Sign of Dishonor, I could see the smile on his face from my seat, it was beaming that much. I am shocked he accepted a return to WWE, but I guess the payday is too much to pass on. However, he is champion, and I doubt he will depart with the title, so his future is still somewhat cloudy while holding the ROH title. Danielson is another one who I have not seen compete, but I know of his reputation. He is returning from a self imposed exile after his last fallen attempt to take the ROH championship. While I think his attitude of either A) have me wrestle for the world title, or B) I won't wrestle at all, is a bit selfish, I think Danielson could possibly be the next man to take the torch for Ring Of Honor. With Danielson not having ties to TNA, he could be the new face of the company going forward in to Survival of the Fittest, where Gibson's next match would be against TNA superstar the Fallen Angel. I doubt ROH wants to put their title on a combatant with roots in another company. But, it's just a thought. One way or another, this one will be for the books. Seeing Gibson wear world title gold is worth the price of admission alone. However, as I said, his future is cloudy, but I think it clears up Saturday night, as he takes the defeat at the hands of the American Dragon, and leaves ROH for the sands of WWE, and re-applies the shackles to his limitless talent.

Winner and new ROH World Champion: The American Dragon, Bryan Danielson

While I am extremely disappointed that Christopher Daniels and Alex Shelley cancelled off this show, this lineup is still pretty damn action packed. I will come back to Mopsquad over the weekend or early next week with a review of the contests and the experience of Ring Of Honor, only my third live independent wrestling show ever.

Ok. One down, one to go. Now on to Sunday night, and WWE Unforgiven....

Trish Stratus & Ashley vs. Victoria & Torrie Wilson
I am, by no means, upset at all to see a divas match, especially since contests between Trish & Victoria are especially brutal, go back to 2002 Survivor Series, and the hardcore contest between the two. However, Trish's return does put her at a distinct disadvantage. While I understand the storyline of initiating a new diva in to the ranks, and as much as I liked Christy in her performance up to, and even meeting her, WWE goofed big time when putting a diva search winner in to a pay per view match right off the bat. I refer you back to Wrestlemania 21. Now, they're doing it again. While I suspect Ashley is "tougher" than Christy was at the time, she is still reeking of inexperience. Torrie, while maybe not the physical specimen that Victoria or Trish are, can still take a bump and dish one out. I would suspect the inexperience of Ashley will be her undoing, and the heels will take this contest. I am glad to see Trish back, and I hope that the women's division doesn't get thrown in to the garbage like it has been in the past, but this time around, it's kind of pointless, I would think. Develop this further on Raw, and then try it out at the next pay per view (Raw Only). This time, it's too early.

WINNERS: Torrie Wilson & Victoria

Shelton Benjamin vs. Kerwin White
Now, I hope that Jim Ross is being truthful when he said in his recent Ross Report column that someone trying to portray someone that he is not is ridiculous. Kerwin White is a ridiculous gimmick that is offensive to the core. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. was and is one of the most talented combatants in WWE. He should be allowed to compete AS Chavo Guerrero. Why? The name itself demands respect. Kerwin White? It's borderline racist, and it's just plain stupid. Anyway, this time out, White or Guerrero or whoever you want to call it is going to end up getting the dupe against the newly crowned jobber of Raw, Shelton Benjamin. And do you know what? I think it sucks. Shelton Benjamin could be one of the most talented athletes on the entire roster, and since he dropped the IC title to Carlito, he has gotten ZERO breaks. It's revolting. He was a tremendous champion, his match with Shawn Michaels in the gold rush tournament was out of this stratusphere, and where is he now? In a match he is destined to lose because the powers that be think that this stupid gimmick they have Chavo doing will actually get somewhere. Makes me sick.

WINNER: Kerwin White

Big Show vs. Snitsky
Man, how the mighty have fallen. Big Show on Smackdown was just entered in to the six man elimination match to crown a new Smackdown champion. He is then drafted, and now where is he? In a feud with a midcard oaf from Pennslyvania. (No knock to PA, It's nicer than where I am, for sure). Snitsky does not belong on a pay per view card, hell, he doesn't belong in WWE. He is talentless, charisma-depleting, and an absolute show grinder. Not stopper like Shawn Michaels. Grinder. He grinds shows to a screeching halt with his ridiculously overrated talent. Show should take this in a hard fought match, only because Snitsky does hit hard, from what I can see. Thing is though, Show hits harder.

WINNER: Big Show

In A Steel Cage, Matt Hardy vs. Edge
Who else here is sick of this? Raise your hands. (HANDS GO UP IN DROVES)

I can't stand it anymore. I am sick of Edge. I am sick of Matt Hardy. I am sick of Lita. I used to think Lita was one of the sexiest women on WWE television. But she is so freaking enigmatic, she makes Jeff Hardy look like the rock of Gibraltar. It's also sickening that WWE thinks they can get somewhere with Edge. I only pray to the good lords above that they're not thinking of putting the WWE title on this loser's waist, but I am getting ahead of myself. Anyway, I hear on wwe.com that Matt put up a column about his upcoming encounter with Edge. He hasn't won a match in this feud yet. He hasn't really gotten the better of Edge since the first run in way back when. What makes anyone with half a brain think that Hardy has a shot now? Hardy has made the mistake of his life by returning to WWE because McMahon is furious that he had to rehire him, and he is going to make it his life long goal to bury this guy (Hardy) so far in to the ground that it'll take a backhoe to dig up his remains. End this one, it's becoming just as obscene as the Rey vs. Eddie one that was taking place on Smackdown.

WINNER: Edge

Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Masters
How the mighty have fallen. The show stopper, the main event, the icon, the legend that is the Heart Break Kid last month main events the major PPV, Summerslam, and where is he put in now for the next one? In a match with a 22 year old idiot with more muscles in his body than brains. The Masterlock challenge is a ridiculous segment that should be stopped, it's as moronic as the Kurt Angle invitational. Masters has grown in his abilities from dealing with Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels, but how much will he gain from this match. Is HBK going to put the new kid over? Will HBK suffer TWO PPV losses in a row? I would find that hard to believe. Masters has evolved from being just down right annoying to a performer with potential. Is he ready to take the next step to the level of a Shawn Michaels? I don't think so. HBK pulls out some old DX moves, and takes out the young whippersnapper.

WINNER: Shawn Michaels

Wow, three title matches, am I shocked!! And look, everyone, A TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH ON A PAY PER VIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!

For the World Tag Team Championship, The Hurricane & Rosey defend against Trevor Murdoch and Lance Cade
Ok. Editorial time. I am going to make a pick here that I don't want to make. But, I am making it because I think a good portion of the reason this match will go the way it goes is because of current events. I am taking a guess that Shane Helms' gimmick is now considered "offensive" in the eyes of WWE brass because of what happened on the Gulf coast. And truthfully, ladies and gentlemen, it makes me sick. Shane Helms is a gifted athlete, a wonderful performer, and a hell of a person. (I met him a while back, and he was tremendous.) He has taken Rosey under his wing, and made him better. They could have been the cornerstones of a significantly depleted tag team division if the powers that be had let them. Now, this new team comes along. Who here remembers what happened on Smackdown, when a new team came in and dethroned the legendary team of Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio in their first match? Remember MNM? Now, I am not going to put Hurricane and Rosey in the same league as Eddie & Rey, but the fact is the fact. Hurricane and Rosey have been exiled to virtual obscurity with title belts around their waists, and now, because of events completely out of their control, the chances are virtually nil that their title reign will continue past this pay per view. Whatever happened to proving yourself as a competitor and a team before getting a shot at the title? Oh, wait, I forgot, this is WWE. If you got the clout backstage, you can get anything accomplished.

WINNERS:New World Tag Team Champions Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch

Oh, one other thing, what happened did Cade suddenly get a name change?

For the Intercontinental Championship, Carlito defends against Ric Flair
It's funny. A part of me wants Ric Flair to hold a belt, a singles title, one more time before he walks the aisle in to the WWE hall of fame. But, where can he go with it? Triple H is due back in a couple of weeks. Either they will return together as a team, which basically kills this development of Flair as a face, or they're going to feud, and would Triple H allow himself to put in to a feud for the INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE? I don't know. One thing I do know is this, the youngster champion is going to go to the woodshed. Repeatedly. Carlito is going to pay for this one if he is going to be successful. His chest is going to look like a strawberry, I would assume before this one is done, and I would also assume the ligaments in his knee will look like old grey hairs before this one is done. I am going to take my heart instead of my head in this one, and actually pick two titles to change hands at a non major pay per view. Why? I think WWE should pay Ric Flair the compliment of one final run as a champion, and I don't think the WWE title is in Flair's future. This may be the last gasp for the 16 time world heavyweight champion, and I doubt he would miss it.

WINNER: New Intercontinental Champion Ric Flair

For the WWE Championship, John Cena defends against Kurt Angle
Ok. One side point. I thought the draft was going to stop repeated matches. This one was done back in February at No Way Out prior to WM 21, remember everybody? Angle lost to Cena in Pittsburgh leading up to Cena's eventual dethroning of JBL for the WWE title at Wrestlemania 21. Now, here they are again, on a new show, for the same title they fought for back in February. Ok, maybe not for the title itself, but for a shot at it back then. Anyway....

Angle's change in to this vicious, ruthless, sadistic maniac has been done beautifully. I love how his gimmick now destroys first and talks later. I think it's great. It's a little late though, everybody. (Remember Bill Goldberg?) But, anyway, WWE again has fouled this one up, like they've done for some time before. The poster for Taboo Tuesday is out, and Angle and Cena are features. What does that tell you, ladies and gentlemen? Two possibilites. Either 1, Angle wins, and Cena takes the rematch. Or 2, Cena wins, and Bischoff still thinks Angle's got what it takes to take him out in a gimmick match at the gimmick laden pay per view in October. Either which way, it comes down to one thought. Who would the powers that be want to be the WWE champion when Raw returns to USA network in October? Hrm. Good question....My answer would be this. In a very hard fought contest, where the winner will take a significant pounding...

WINNER: John Cena

Sorry guys, I'm too big a Cena mark. I can't pick against him. By the way, John Cena is coming back to Long Island for another autograph signing. Email me for the particulars, ladies and gentlemen, and I'd be happy to send them your way.

Ok. That's it. See you at Glory By Honor IV. Click here to drop me an email.

Kimosabe, Sumo!?!?!?!?!?