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ROH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Jay Briscoe (C) vs. Adam Cole

After eleven years of hard work and dedication Jay Briscoe was finally able to achieve the goal set before him by himself and thousands of Ring of Honor fans around the world, when earlier last month he defeated “Mr. Wrestling” Kevin Steen to become the ROH World Champion for the first time, something which brought many fans to their feet in joy and others sitting in-front of their desktops in shock.

Jay Briscoe is quite probably the most deserving ROH World Champion of all-time. “Since day one,” Jay has gone toe-to-toe in singles matches and tag team matches against virtually every recognizable figure to have walked through Ring of Honor. Jay’s hard work and persistence never went unnoticed and when he held the title above his head in New York City the fans showed him the appreciation he deserves.

Now having won the title the task is to keep it wrapped around the Sandyfork, Delaware natives waist and to do that he must defend it against one of the toughest opponents possible, “Panama City’s Finest” Adam Cole who is out to win his second Ring of Honor singles title having dropped the ROH World TV Championship to Matt Taven at the 11th Anniversary Show two months ago.

Adam Cole is one of professional wrestlings brightest prospects. Currenly holding the PWG World Championship down in California, Cole has been viewed as wrestling’s future for quite some time now, having attended a WWE tryout camp a couple months ago it is widely believed Triple H and co. are very interested in his talents but for now he is staying put on the independent circuit.

Despite having only one month of build Delirious has done a good job of building tension between the two and excitement around the match, with the question on everyones lips being, “is Adam Cole going to turn to the darkside” – no not the Death Star, but from a good guy to bad. Often praised for his persona in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla as the “Panama City Playboy” many fans have called for a Cole heel turn for some time.

On last weeks episode of ROH Wrestling TV, Cole accidentally connecting with a Superkick to Jay during their main event tag team match against SCUM’s Matt Hardy and Adam Cole is an example of the finest touches which make this match very anticipated. Adam has made it no secret he’s out to ruin the celebrations and take the ROH World Championship in Canada, much like how Kevin Steen did last year.

If he is to make the transition and even possibly – as some would presume – join SCUM, it could make television very interesting for the next several months. Adam as ROH World Champion is something a lot of us want to see but at the expense of Jay Briscoe’s ROH World Championship run? Fans are going to be split and I admit to being one of those. I guess whether Briscoe retains or Cole captures the belt, I’ll be a happy viewer.

Prediction: N/A

 

ROH WORLD TV CHAMPIONSHIP

Matt Taven (C) vs. Mark Briscoe

With one Briscoe having tasted singles gold in Ring of Honor, is it time that the other does too? That is the question as Matt Taven prepares to defend the ROH World TV Championship against the innvator of “Redneck Kung Fu” Mark Briscoe tomorrow night in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and with Mark having seen the reception given to his brother following title success you know he’s hungry for gold.

Mark Briscoe – much like his brother – is one of Ring of Honor’s most noticable names. An eccentric personality to say the least Mark and his brother are eight time ROH World Tag Team Champions but until last month at least, again like Jay one thing that has always eluded the younger Briscoe brother is singles gold and with this opportunity a chance is there to rectify this.

Matt Taven on the other hand will have no intention of losing the ROH World TV Championship and if he has none, then Truth Martini definitely doesn’t. After upsetting the odds and defeating Adam Cole for the title at the 11th Anniversary Show in February many were excited to see a bright young star hold the belt, but one thing has been very clear thus far in his reign – it revolves a tad too much around Truth and not enough around Taven.

Taven should be placed on television holding the title, but instead stars in Truth Martini’s promos like he were making a cameo in a music video. I’m not entirely sure if that’s the exact image the promotion wants with Truth being the star of the duo but I personally feel Matt should be promoted a little bit more. It was this time last year his name was appearing on wrestling “news” sites across the net with a speculated move to WWE on the horizon.

Despite this though he did well to retain the title at Supercard of Honor VII, knocking off former champion Adam Cole and a former WWE United States Champion Matt Hardy. Taven has all the skills to be something special so I’m hoping he is portrayed this way, however if he were to drop the title to Mark tomorrow night in the Ted Reeve Arena, a smile would grow across my face.

Mark deserves something not only for his talents but for his contribution to the company all these years. Eight ROH World Tag Team Championships reigns is nice and all but The Briscoe Brothers have been there and done that, it’s time to see what the two chicken farmers from Sandyfork can bring as singles competitors and this match could be an estimation of how far Mark Briscoe could go it alone.

Prediction: Matt Taven

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