Wrestle Rant- 10/08/07
Wrestle Rant is a semi-weekly column where I yammer about various news and whatnots on the Independant Pro-Wrestling scene. Here we go.
The biggest news this week, and probably some of the more important wrestling news to happen in some time, is that Nigel McGiness (oh crap, I don't know how to spell his name) finally won the ROH World Heavyweight title this weekend ending Takeshi Morishima's very dominant Eight Month Title Reign. This was Nigel's third shot at Morishima (I think, or was it his fourth? Good thing I don't get paid for this thing, or I'd actually have to do some research), and he had four shots at previous champ Bryan Danielson, all of which fell short. Nigel started out as a staple of the lower midcard, wowing audiences with his mat heavy European style. He eventually upset Samoa Joe for the ROH Pure title, and promptly turned heel, cheating and using the Pure Rules to his advantage to maintain the belt. Eventually, he ended up in a champ vs. champ feud with Bryan Danielson. During this time, Nigel went back to being face and changed his arsenal up a little. He still had plenty of Euro mat wrestling, but he added lots of stiff strikes to his arsenal, most notably a variety of BRUTAL lariats, one of which he named the Jawbreaker, because he used it to Literally break Jimmy Rave's jaw in a match (you can hear it pop!). For about a year now, Nigel's been one of the most consistant point men for the ROH promotion, putting on a string of great performances. It wasn't a question as to whether Nigel would win the World title, it was really a question of when.
Now that Nigel has the belt, the only question remaining is how long can he hang onto it? The ROH World title has a reputation as being a belt that doesn't change hands very often, but anything can happen. Here's a list of possible contenders:
Bryan Danielson- Former World Champ, and Nigel's biggest rival. Nearly beat Morishima to win the belt back, and now that Nigel's got it, expect Danielson to start hunting him. I don't think Danielson will win the belt back this year, it's just too soon.
Austin Aries- Former World Champ, on a hotstreak since ending his TNA tenure and returning to ROH full time. Doesn't really need the belt, so I don't see him winning it, but he'll probably have some killer title shots (sorry Boolah).
Roderick Strong- Leader of the NRC and top heel in ROH right now. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't won the belt yet. May end up being the guy to take the belt from Nigel.
Claudio Castignoli- One of Nigel's former rivals from his Pure Title days, these two can tear the house down when they want to. Claudio's super popular right now, and I honestly think it's a matter of time before he wins the belt. Maybe not this year though. Expect some great world title matches though.
Chris Hero- Nigel's newest rival, expect Hero to challenge for the belt and lose after a great match (sorry Brooks). If Hero ever captures the ROH World title, it won't be this year.
Other than that, my predictions on the length of Nigel's reign are either very short or fairly long. He'll either lose the belt in three months or less, or if he makes it past that mark, he'll hold the belt for at least a year. Course, that's just my opinion on the matter, not like I know anything.
The biggest news this week, and probably some of the more important wrestling news to happen in some time, is that Nigel McGiness (oh crap, I don't know how to spell his name) finally won the ROH World Heavyweight title this weekend ending Takeshi Morishima's very dominant Eight Month Title Reign. This was Nigel's third shot at Morishima (I think, or was it his fourth? Good thing I don't get paid for this thing, or I'd actually have to do some research), and he had four shots at previous champ Bryan Danielson, all of which fell short. Nigel started out as a staple of the lower midcard, wowing audiences with his mat heavy European style. He eventually upset Samoa Joe for the ROH Pure title, and promptly turned heel, cheating and using the Pure Rules to his advantage to maintain the belt. Eventually, he ended up in a champ vs. champ feud with Bryan Danielson. During this time, Nigel went back to being face and changed his arsenal up a little. He still had plenty of Euro mat wrestling, but he added lots of stiff strikes to his arsenal, most notably a variety of BRUTAL lariats, one of which he named the Jawbreaker, because he used it to Literally break Jimmy Rave's jaw in a match (you can hear it pop!). For about a year now, Nigel's been one of the most consistant point men for the ROH promotion, putting on a string of great performances. It wasn't a question as to whether Nigel would win the World title, it was really a question of when.
Now that Nigel has the belt, the only question remaining is how long can he hang onto it? The ROH World title has a reputation as being a belt that doesn't change hands very often, but anything can happen. Here's a list of possible contenders:
Bryan Danielson- Former World Champ, and Nigel's biggest rival. Nearly beat Morishima to win the belt back, and now that Nigel's got it, expect Danielson to start hunting him. I don't think Danielson will win the belt back this year, it's just too soon.
Austin Aries- Former World Champ, on a hotstreak since ending his TNA tenure and returning to ROH full time. Doesn't really need the belt, so I don't see him winning it, but he'll probably have some killer title shots (sorry Boolah).
Roderick Strong- Leader of the NRC and top heel in ROH right now. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't won the belt yet. May end up being the guy to take the belt from Nigel.
Claudio Castignoli- One of Nigel's former rivals from his Pure Title days, these two can tear the house down when they want to. Claudio's super popular right now, and I honestly think it's a matter of time before he wins the belt. Maybe not this year though. Expect some great world title matches though.
Chris Hero- Nigel's newest rival, expect Hero to challenge for the belt and lose after a great match (sorry Brooks). If Hero ever captures the ROH World title, it won't be this year.
Other than that, my predictions on the length of Nigel's reign are either very short or fairly long. He'll either lose the belt in three months or less, or if he makes it past that mark, he'll hold the belt for at least a year. Course, that's just my opinion on the matter, not like I know anything.
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