ROH Best in the World '15 Discussion: June 19, 2015

[Smart Marx]

RING OF HONOR WRESTLING PRESENTS
BEST IN THE WORLD '15
FRIDAY JUNE 19th 2015
LIVE! on PAY-PER-VIEW FROM NYC

[video=youtube;PnpbowqTXUI]https://youtube.com/watch?v=PnpbowqTXUI[/video]

Title for Title - ROH World Champion vs ROH World TV Champion
JAY BRISCOE vs. JAY LETHAL w/ Truth Martini

[video=youtube;wkjrZRuofpU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkjrZRuofpU[/video]

It is official! ROH World Champion Jay Briscoe will face off against ROH World Television Champion Jay Lethal with both championships on the line at Best in The World ’15: Battle of The Belts. This event will be live on Pay Per View from Terminal 5 in New York City on Friday, June 19, 2015 at 9:00 pm EDT.

It is very rare in history that we get to see the two best in their respective sport face off. We seem to end up with questions such as who would win if Muhammad Ali faced Mike Tyson, or if the Bill Russell led Boston Celtics of the 1960’s faced the Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls of the 1990’s. In 2015 there are two individual stars that wear the gold in Ring of Honor: ROH World Champion Jay Briscoe and ROH World Television Champion Jay Lethal.

Jay Briscoe is an ROH original who debuted in Ring of Honor on the very first show in February of 2002. As part of a tag team with his brother Mark, the duo would go on to become the best tag team in Ring of Honor history, winning the titles a record 8 times, holding them for a combined 807 days and successfully defending them a total of 36 times. He would finally obtain singles glory when he defeated Kevin Steen in April of 2013 to become the ROH World Champion! After being stripped of the championship due to injury, he would return with an unmatched hunger in his eyes to regain his prized possession. On September 6, 2014 he would defeat “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin to begin his second reign as champion and he has not looked back!

Jay Lethal debuted in Ring of Honor in 2003. He would have mixed success until 2005 when he won the now defunct ROH Pure Championship. He would leave Ring of Honor in 2006, only to return in 2011. Upon returning fans witnessed a new intensity, a bigger personality and a man destined for bigger things. He became ROH World Television Champion by defeating El Generico in August of 2011. After losing the championship, Lethal would make the most impactful decision of his career as he would employ the services of Truth Martini to help him defeat Tomasso Ciampa to win his second ROH World Television Championship. He won the championship on April 4, 2014 and has demolished any and all records associated with that title through today! He has doubled and tripled the previous records associated with the title and shows no sign of slowing down!

Jay Briscoe is the rough and ready ROH World Champion, ready to fight at the drop of a hat. Jay Lethal is the confident classy and self proclaimed “Greatest First Generation Wrestler” who has faced and defeated every challenger to date. Briscoe has not been pinned or submitted in over 807 Days. Lethal has been ROH World Television Champion for a record 409 days. There hace been simmering tensions as Lethal has been making claims that he is not just the ROH World Television Champion but that he is the only champion! Briscoe has taken offense and stated its time for Lethal to “Man-Up” and back up those words.

On Friday, June 19, 2015 these two record setting superstars will step in the ring and put an end to the question of who truly is the better man. Is it Jay Briscoe, the ROH World Champion who hasn’t felt defeat in over 2 years? Or is it Jay Lethal, who has successfully defended his championship for over a year? This is a chance to witness a once in a lifetime dream match. The two very best wrestlers in the world in the same ring at the same time with both championships on the line! Is Briscoe the best or is it Jay Lethal? Be there live in NYC or watch live from the comfort of your home on Pay Per View.

ROH World Tag Team Championship - NO DISQUALIFICATION
reDRagon (Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish) vs. The Addiction (Frankie Kazarian & Christopher Daniels

For months, a mysterious group of masked individuals stalked Ring of Honor. Proclaiming themselves the Knights of the Rising Dawn, they hovered in the crowd and sent in bizarre clips of video manifesto. They would materialize in the audience - especially during championship matches - and, eventually, they started interfering physically in matches. For a while, it seemed that the KRD might have connections to The Kingdom: the similarly "regal" monikers, a glimpse of an incriminating T-shirt, and conspicuous use of The Kingdom's signature moveset.

Shockingly, the KRD was revealed to be the work of Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, and CHRIS SABIN when they virtually stole the ROH World Tag Team Championships from reDRagon and left Kyle O'Reilly gushing blood in the ensuing beatdown. Ever since then, The Addiction and Sabin have stopped hiding their identities, gleefully flaunting the success of their plan. The Addiction, or "World Tag Team Champions of the World," claimed on a recent episode of ROH TV that they would give reDRagon one - and ONLY one - more opportunity to win their titles back.

However, when it came time for the scheduled match, Bobby Fish was not cleared to compete. The Addiction gloated over the fact that they had carefully worded their challenge to exclude any sort of replacement for Fish, and assumed they would get the night off. But with the odds completely stacked against him, Kyle O'Reilly decided to go for the gold in a handicap match! O'Reilly proved why he is one of the best in the world today by holding his own against the two veteran champions, managing to catch them in devastating submission holds.

No doubt sensing they underestimated this scenario, The Addiction chose to blatantly smash O'Reilly with a championship belt and get themselves disqualified. Traditionally, championships in ROH cannot change hands on a DQ, so The Addiction ran away with their titles and reDRagon was cheated out of their "one" chance at a rematch. Or so they thought.

Due to the clearly dishonorable tactics of The Addiction, reDRagon WILL challenge for the World Tag Team Championship one more time: LIVE on pay-per-view at BEST IN THE WORLD! And on June 19th, The Addiction won't have another opportunity to weasel their way out of the arena on a technicality because this match is officially NO DISQUALIFICATION!

The Kingdom (Adam Cole, Michael Bennett, Matt Taven) w/ Maria Kanellis vs. Bullet Club (AJ Styles & Young Bucks)

At War of The Worlds Night 1 in Philadelphia recently, The Kingdom's Adam Cole returned and stunned the world as he said not only was he back, but he was calling out IWGP Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles! This sent shockwaves through the Bullet Club as Cole was said to be still recovering a major shoulder injury suffered at Final Battle ’14. Cole came into battle with Styles and proved that even with 5 months off, he was still one of the very best in the world. Styles claimed victory that night but the message was clear: The Kingdom is back and ready to take over the wrestling world.

War of the Worlds Night 2 saw The Kingdom face off with The Bullet Club in 6 man action! This night was one where The Kingdom backed up all their trash talking, as Adam Cole scored the victory for his team. The Bullet Club, normally cocky and arrogant, were very frustrated with the loss. They immediately went to ROH Matchmaker Nigel McGuinness and requested a rematch which has now been signed for Best in the World ’15.

The Kingdom is not only claiming territory in ROH, they have also started to claim territory on The Bullet Club's home turf of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Taven & Bennett, along with Maria Kanellis, stunned everyone when they defeated Bullet Club members “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows to become IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. This has not set well with The BC and they are coming to ROH to gain further revenge.

AJ Styles and The Young Bucks are coming to Best in The World ’15 not just to beat The Kingdom but to embarrass them! The braggadocios trio want to show that they are more than flash and championships! They are coming to prove that the Bullet Club is the best group in professional wrestling! It is Adam Cole, Matt Taven & Michael Bennett facing off with AJ Styles, Nick & Matt Jackson! That should give you goose bumps and provide visions of spectacular wrestling. You will not want to miss the two hottest groups in professional wrestling squaring off at Best in The World ’15: Battle of The Belts

Triple Threat Match to determine the #1 Contender to the ROH World Championship
"Unbreakable" Michael Elgin vs. Moose vs Roderick Strong

Roderick Strong stated at the end of 2014 that he was entering 2015 determined to prove that even without a championship he was still the finest wrestler in the world. He stormed into 2015 and has faced and defeated the very best put in front of him. He has not only defeated them but looked better than ever in doing so.

“Moose, Moose, Moose” is the chant that has taken on a life of its own with the ROH faithful! Moose is backed by what he calls “Moose Nation." These are fans of this freakish once in a lifetime athlete. Led by the streetwise Stokely Hathaway and the smart and seductive Veda Scott, Moose debuted at Best in the World 2014 to much fanfare. Since that time he has gone undefeated and has steamrolled the competition at a ridiculous rate.

“Unbreakable” Michael Elgin won the ROH World Championship in 2014. He lost the championship in September and remained in a state of flux until Final Battle 2014, where he defeated Tommaso Ciampa. Entering 2015 it appeared that he had regained focus and was primed to dominate. He has done exactly that!

The contenders in this match were determined by their records so far in 2015. Veda Scott is arguing that since Moose has never tasted defeat, he should get a title shot and not have to face Strong and Elgin. Strong comes with a championship pedigree that is second to none. He has held every championship in ROH and his current streak of wins indicate that he is ready for another. Elgin has an unpredictable personality but inside the ring his won-loss record in 2015 is nearly flawless.

These three men will face off for the right to become #1 contender to the ROH World Championship. All 3 are worthy but there can only be one true #1 contender. Three of the very best today, with different paths but similar goals, will collide with an opportunity for a shot at the most important prize in professional wrestling. . Do not miss out! Get your tickets now and be there in person! If you can’t be there in person, have no fear as you can order it live on Pay Per View!

#Reborn Matt Sydal & ACH vs. The Decade (BJ Whitmer & Adam Page)

In just a short time together as a team, ACH and Matt Sydal have already solidified themselves as one of the most exciting duos in all of professional wrestling. They came together for the first time at TAG WARS 2014 and nearly defeated reDRagon in the finals to win the titles on their very first try. Their similarly exciting, high energy styles complement each other and they have tag team gold on their minds.

But before ACH & Matt Sydal can fully focus on championship goals, they have more personal issues to contend with. Recently ACH has found himself targeted by The Decade, specifically the increasingly aggressive Adam Page. Many have speculated that Page is envious of ACH's success. Meanwhile, Page and BJ Whitmer claim that ACH has done nothing but waste opportunities he didn't realize deserve in the first place.

The Decade was built around a philosophy that success must be earned through hard work and respect. But Whitmer and Page have twisted that idea into a campaign of aggression and bullying. Page has whole heartedly embraced his "mentor" BJ Whitmer's attitude and earned a "young boy" of his own in Colby Corino. But even as Page finds his own success - whatever the method - he can't seem to shake his issues with ACH.

Now at BEST IN THE WORLD, The Decade squares off against ACH & Matt Sydal! The hostilities between these teams are only getting more and more heated. They both obviously want to be contenders in the tag title scene. But right now their personal issues are squarely at the forefront...and they will boil over on June 19th LIVE on pay-per-view!

Donovan Dijak w/ Truth Martini vs. Mark Briscoe w/ ODB

When Jay Lethal and Truth Martini’s House of Truth declared that they wanted Jay Briscoe’s ROH World Championship, Mark Briscoe knew there would be trouble. Never one to back down from fight, especially involving his brother, Mark Briscoe is now involved in a war with the House of Truth that will bring him face to face with the impressive Donovan Dijak!

Truth Martini secured the services of the 6’7" athlete to the shock of many. Donovan Dijak is both physically and athletically impressive and won the Top Prospect Tournament for 2015. He serves alongside fellow H.O.T. member J. Diesel as the muscle behind ROH World Television Champion Jay Lethal. That role has lead to him right to the battlefield between Briscoe & Lethal! Alas Mark Briscoe isn't coming alone as he is bringing One Dirty Briscoe to counteract Truth Martini

Is Dijak ready for the war that Mark Briscoe is going to bring? Is Briscoe ready for the physical tools of Dijak and the war games planned by Truth Martini? Will O.D.B make a difference for Briscoe? What role will J. Diesel play in this? Make sure your eyes on are Best in The World ’15: Battle of The Belts!

Dalton Castle w/ The Boys vs. "The Last Real Man" Silas Young

The "24/7 Party" Dalton Castle is making his debut in the big apple at Best in The World '15: Battle of The Belts and he would want it no other way! The bright lights and the fast paced living is what he is all about. Silas Young on the other hand is coming to ruin this debut. Silas is known a no-nonsense athlete that brings a hard hitting diverse style that could pose many problems for Castle.

Castle will be ready for what's thrown at him, but so far hasn't faced anyone with the diversity that Young brings. Young is coming to win, plain and simple. No frills, no excuses, he is just there to destroy Castle. This match will be unique in many ways. Is Castle ready for "The Last Real Man"? Is Silas ready for the "24/7 Party"? You will want to be watching to find out!

War Machine vs. C&C Wrestle Factory (Caprice Coleman & Cedric Alexander)

From the very first moment he stepped into an ROH ring, Cedric Alexander was clearly something special. His gifts as a professional wrestler speak for themselves. Alongside veteran athlete Caprice Coleman, Alexander attacked the Ring of Honor tag team scene with the enthusiasm and heart unique to someone who knows his future is limitless. Throughout the years, Cedric has risen through the ranks of ROH as both a tag and singles competitor. As both his friend and mentor, Caprice saw the potential his partner had in singles competition and, incredibly, offered to stand aside and pushed Cedric to pursue his luck in that realm.

Since then, Cedric Alexander has taken on the absolute best in the world and impressed at every single opportunity. Roderick Strong, Christopher Daniels, Michael Elgin, Okada...the list goes on and on. But despite these marquee match ups and show stealing performances, Cedric has grown increasingly hostile and frustrated. The reason is as basic as the barest tenet of professional wrestling itself: in every match there is a winner and a loser.

Cedric Alexander needs to be a winner.

To him, all the accolades in the world did not matter if in the last three seconds of his matches, he found himself on the losing end. The frustration grew, showing itself more and more through his actions and on his face. His eyes reflecting his mounting doubts and anger, and he even started refusing the Code of Honor after a defeat.

On the most recent episode of ROH TV, Cedric FINALLY secured a victory, but some fear the cost of his actions will tarnish his reputation forever. When Veda Scott saw the undefeated Moose's winning streak in jeopardy, she attempted to get him to use a weapon - what would be revealed as a wrench from underneath the ring - against his opponent, Cedric Alexander. Moose refused, his personal honor too important to risk blatantly breaking the rules. Cedric, on the other hand, snatched the wrench and cracked it over Moose's head himself. Two streaks ended at once, and Cedric Alexander finally snagged a win. But at what cost?

Caprice Coleman has watched his friend and student descending into darkness and desperately reached out. After weeks of unreturned calls and texts, Coleman asked ROH to posh a video plea to his former partner. In it, Caprice repeated the same praises that Cedric has heard his entire career. He pushed him to look at his recent opportunities not as loses, but as chances to raise his stock and further impress the world. He urged him not to listen to these "sources" pushing him toward frustration and dishonor. The message was beyond clear: Cedric, you are better than this.

It seems that, against all odds, Caprice has gotten through to Cedric. This Friday at BEST IN THE WORLD, their tag team will REUNITE once again! But they don't have an easy night ahead of them. Just signed: Caprice Coleman & Cedric Alexander team up to face WAR MACHINE!

The team of Hanson and Ray Rowe are without question the most physically dominant force in Ring of Honor today. They were not around when Caprice and Cedric made their previous run as a unit, but these two teams are no doubt studying each other's strategy in preparation for this huge match on pay-per-view. This is sure to be a classic battle of speed versus size and of agility versus power. Cedric may have broken his losing streak, but there's no way a man of integrity like Caprice Coleman will allow him to take that sort of shortcut on June 19th. Can Caprice keep his partner focused on the task at hand? If these two can't function as the unit the once were, the unstoppable force that is WAR MACHINE will roll right through them LIVE on pay-per-view!

​

Ring of Honor returns to pay-per-view June 19th with Best in the world '15: Battle of the Belts!

Which of you punks will join me that Friday night for a sweet (TOO SWEET) live discussion?

 

[Postman Dave]

Re: ROH "Best in the World '15" Preview & Discussion: June 19, 2015

6 man tag looks cool, but can't say I'm digging the rest of the card yet.

 

[Smart Marx]

Re: ROH "Best in the World '15" Preview & Discussion: June 19, 2015

I think it's time to see if Jay Lethal can run with the ball. The man has been shining on every ROH card this year and continues to defend the Television Title at a record pace. The Television Championship is beginning to look like the real man's prize in ROH.

I honestly thought when Jay Lethal left TNA he was heading to obscurity. I was never fascinated with his personality or work when he wasn't pretending to be Randy Savage. Since coming to ROH he's found a new lease on life and is having the matches of his career. He's also come along way on character since joining the House of Truth. I definitely believe he can carry the main event if they let him.

6 man tag looks cool, but can't say I'm digging the rest of the card yet.

Really? I mean we did see it already at War of the Worlds. You're not even slightly interested in seeing who is the true champion in Ring of Honor? The feats these two have accomplished in the last two years is practically unheard-of. Is Jay Lethal ready for the big time or will Jay Briscoe add yet another belts around his waist?

 

[Apoho Creed]

Re: ROH "Best in the World '15" Preview & Discussion: June 19, 2015

I'm personally so happy for Jay Lethal, I was really angry TNA didn't keep Lethal. He was so good to me, as Machismo and even when he dropped that character, he was good enough in the ring to have a great match in the ring. What was TNA's loss, is Ring of Honors gain and now it's big match for him. I have a feeling a DQ, or some kind of screwy finish, either way Lethal has been ready for this moment.

 

[Austin Bates]

Re: ROH "Best in the World '15" Preview & Discussion: June 19, 2015

I'm really looking forward to Jay Briscoe vs Jay Lethal. Lethal has turned into a real good heel with the Television Championship and Briscoe is a good baby face. It should be a really hot match.

 

[Postman Dave]

Re: ROH "Best in the World '15" Preview & Discussion: June 19, 2015

Really? I mean we did see it already at War of the Worlds. You're not even slightly interested in seeing who is the true champion in Ring of Honor? The feats these two have accomplished in the last two years is practically unheard-of. Is Jay Lethal ready for the big time or will Jay Briscoe add yet another belts around his waist?

Most 6 man tags in wrestling tend to be fun these days, so it's got that reliability going for it. Plus, Adam Cole, Young Bucks, AJ & Maria are all awesome.

Jay vs. Jay sounds solid but that's it. Lethal can suck something fierce at times, so I tend to take him as he comes.

I feel like now with the new DA deal, it's a bad time to have a double champion. It's better to keep them apart to develop their own separate characteristics & importance. Obviously can't help the timing, but still

 

[Austin Bates]

Re: ROH "Best in the World '15" Preview & Discussion: June 19, 2015

Most 6 man tags in wrestling tend to be fun these days, so it's got that reliability going for it. Plus, Adam Cole, Young Bucks, AJ & Maria are all awesome.

Jay vs. Jay sounds solid but that's it. Lethal can suck something fierce at times, so I tend to take him as he comes.

I feel like now with the new DA deal, it's a bad time to have a double champion. It's better to keep them apart to develop their own separate characteristics & importance. Obviously can't help the timing, but still

That's a good point. They need strong marketing and a guy with one belt is the way to go.

 

[Postman Dave]

Re: ROH "Best in the World '15" Preview & Discussion: June 19, 2015

The Decade (Adam Page & BJ Whitmer) vs. ACH & Matt Sydal has been added.

Like the young lion/veteran dynamic on each team. The Decade as a thing seems sorta pointless now, but at least they seem to be using it as a platform for Page to shine.

 

[Austin Bates]

Re: ROH "Best in the World '15" Preview & Discussion: June 19, 2015

I've been liking The Decade solely for Adam Page ever since Jimmy Jacobs has been gone. BJ Whitmer can have his moments.

This should be a fun tag team match.

 

[Smart Marx]

Donovan Dijak w/ Truth Martini vs. Mark Briscoe w/ ODB

Dalton Castle w/ The Boys vs "The Last Real Man" Silas Young

War Machine vs C&C Wrestle Factory (Caprice Coleman & Cedric Alexander)

Have all been added. Match I'm looking forward to the most now is the World Tag Team Championship rematch between reDRagon and Addiction.

After all the shenanigans Addiction have put reDRagon through, they're coming for blood in NYC.

 

[Smart Marx]

It's finally on my screen! Time to get crazy!

 

[Smart Marx]

The more time passes, the more Mark Briscoe actually thinks he's Mick Foley. Fantastic opening.

 

[Smart Marx]

The Decade may be a little pointless without Roderick Strong. Matt Sydal and ACH have beautiful chemistry.

 

[Smart Marx]

The death-defying high flying coordination of Sydal and ACH will shut up BJ Whitmer for once.

 

[Smart Marx]

Even though Adam Page doesn't belong in a group named "the Decade," he's impressed me here. Congrats on the win.