Top Prospect tournament 2014 discussion thread

[Stopspot]

ROH will bring back the top prospect tournament in early 2014 (a way for the company to introduce new guys as rookies to the company) and have begun releasing info on the participants. So here we have a thread to discuss it in.

Entrant #1:

COREY HOLLIS

Corey Hollis is a familiar face to ROH fans. In the past year, his team Alabama Attitude has seen high profile tag action, even developing a rivalry with current champions reDRagon. Recently in Cincinnati, Hollis took on Kyle O'Reilly in a competitive singles bout and showed Ring of Honor officials that he wants to prove himself against ROH's best athletes. What better way to elevate himself from "familiar face" to "Ring of Honor star" than winning the 2014 Top Prospect Tournament?

Born and raised in Alabama, Corey Hollis proudly wears the houndstooth symbolic of the "Crimson Tide." He's not the biggest man in this tournament. Not the strongest. But Hollis represents the sort of competitor who has ALWAYS risen to the top of Ring of Honor: a wrestler. Size matters a whole lot less when you have your opponent tangled up on the mat, and no doubt Hollis intends to even every playing field with his technical prowess

Entrant #2:

RAYMOND ROWE

The last time Raymond Rowe was in a Ring of Honor ring was at "Road to Greatness," where he took on Roderick Strong the first night and current number one contender Michael Elgin the second. Far from the pre-show matches that typically pepper an athlete's early ROH career, competing against the likes of Strong and Elgin fueled Rowe's desire join the ROH roster in 2014. He is the definition of a "top prospect": someone who could enter the fray and immediately shake up Ring of Honor.

Rowe's size and power make him one of the more physically dominant tournament entrants. That combined with his previous ROH experience give him a huge intimidation factor - and will doubtless motivate him to smash through the tournament brackets. He has already had a taste of ROH glory and he wants more. With the title of Top Prospect and a TV Title opportunity in his back pocket, Raymond Rowe would be an instant threat in 2014.

Entrant #3:

"BENCHMARK" BILL DALY

Unlike the previous two entrants, the name "Bill Daly" is likely unfamiliar to most ROH fans. But according to the Benchmark, by the time the 2014 Top Prospect Tournament concludes, his is the only name that will matter. "Benchmark" Bill Daly caught the attention of ROH officials at a recent training camp. He was so impressive that he was immediately slotted into the next Top Prospect Tournament.

The Benchmark comes to Ring of Honor with his own "team" of sponsors and support staff. In every single aspect of his training regime, Bill Daly demands the absolute best. And according to him, the best are more than happy to compensate him for his endorsement: he's here to put the "professional" back in professional wrestling. From his supplements to his trusty corner man, "Team Benchmark" ensures Bill Daly can be the ultimate athlete - and aren't the ROH champions be the very best wrestlers on the planet? In the eyes of "Benchmark" Bill Daly, he's 2014's Top Prospect and the future TV Champion without having a single match in Ring of Honor. He is the new standard for ROH star. He is The Benchmark.

¨

PARTICIPANT #4...

The fourth entrant: CHEESEBURGER

In less than a year, Cheeseburger has become one of the biggest fan favorites in Ring of Honor. His incredible rise from unobtrusive ringside worker to ROH television star proves that hard work and determination (and some reckless bravery) pay off! Cheeseburger's very first ROH match was against tag team champions reDRagon where he teamed with "Mr. ROH" Roderick Stong. It takes a lot to earn the Roderick Strong stamp of approval...but for the 2014 Top Prospect Tournament, Cheeseburger has the support of the entire locker room.

A graduate of the Ring of Honor Dojo, Cheeseburger's had more than his fair share of misfortune during his short wrestling career. From Mike Bennett's knockout punch to Rhino's gore, the man called Burger could have packed his bag and quit a hundred times. But he keeps bouncing back. ROH officials have determined that Cheeseburger's perseverance earned him a spot in the ROH Top Prospect Tournament. He represents the fighting spirit and willpower that will ALWAYS be the heart of Ring of Honor - in 2014 and beyond.

PARTICIPANT #5...

The fifth entrant: ANDREW EVERETT

As one of the most unique talents in professional wrestling today, Andrew Everett comes to Ring of Honor in the wake of relentless fan requests. Wherever he wrestles, Everett makes an instant impression and leaves people talking. But all the potential in the world won't be enough to win the 2014 Top Prospect Tournament. Fortunately for Andrew Everett, he has an incredible high-flying arsenal to back up his buzz.

Perhaps Everett's greatest asset is his unpredictability. No matter who he draws in the first round, it's unlikely his opponent has ever faced someone who can fly so high and boasts a constantly changing lineup of dives, splashes, and other risky maneuvers. Andrew Everett is used to wowing crowds and winning accolades. But the 2014 Top Prospect Tournament is by far his biggest opportunity. Ring of Honor is the best wrestling on the planet. Andrew Everett is here to test the gravity.

PARTICIPANT #6...

The sixth entrant: ROMANTIC TOUCH

A stroll on the beach, a candlelit dinner...and a dropkick delivered straight to the teeth. These are a few of Romantic Touch's favorite things. He claims "Lovers Township, New Jersey" as his hometown and hides his face behind a mask adorned with roses. Why so secretive? While we don't know much about this mysterious stranger, his victory in a recent ROH Ringside a exclusive match proved he is more than just a hip swivel.

Undoubtably, it will be difficult for any of the seven other men in the Top Prospect Tournament to prepare for Romantic Touch. With so little information and footage available, there's no way for whoever faces him to fully scout this enigmatic athlete. If he can keep his focus on the ring - and not any ladies at ringside - Romantic Touch might shock all of ROH by becoming the 2014 Top Prospect.

PARTICIPANT #7...

The seventh entrant: KONGO

The seventh entrant comes to us via ROH Talent Scout Prince Nana. Hoping to impress ROH Officials with his latest acquisition - even before he was publicly named Talent Scout - he left Kongo as a recent Ring of Honor training camp accompanied by a note on his official stationary: "'Behold my new monster, fools!' - Prince Nana." That day, Kongo plowed through all obstacles at the training camp (and most of the catering), making such a huge, thunderous impression that ROH Officials immediately slotted him into a 4 Way Match for the TV Title number one contender back in Providence.

Now Kongo returns to ROH in the 2014 Top Prospect Tournament. We know very little about this beast except for sparse information from Prince Nana, who promises that Kongo will be even meaner and hungrier than ever when he arrives in Nashville. Nana's other talent acquisition, Outlaw Inc., have proven to be erratic, unpredictable - and completely dominant. Will Kongo be just as dangerous? Check out the 2014 Top Prospect Tournament to find out!

More to come.

 

[Roray]

Really enjoy watching Corey Hollis so far, was there live for his match with O'Reilly.. was impressed.

 

[Stopspot]

Cheeseburger in at number 4.
And Andrew Everett in at number 5.

Marking a bit over Everett. ROH has been lacking in high flyers.

 

[Toto]

I like Everett a lot and I think ROH needs a new high flyer
Who the fuck is that Cheeseburguer guy, haven`t heard of him

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

Let's go Cheeseburger!

 

[Forrest OAKADA]

Cheeseburger may win it.....Even if he doesn't I can see him rising up the ROH Ranks anyway.

 

[THG?]

Fuck yes Everett.

 

[Stopspot]

Romantic Touch is number 6.
And its totally Rhett Titus.

 

[Toto]

I liked Romantic Touch`s description, he may do well

 

[THG?]

Yeah I remember hearing Rhett worked a dark match with this gimmick or something.

 

[Stopspot]

Too bad things never worked out for Rhett in ROH. He was the first guy to graduate from the dojo that won a belt in the company.

 

[Testify]

Cheeseburger or go fuck your mother.

 

[Stopspot]

Entrant 7 is Kongo. Aka looks like a gay Brodus Clay.