Precious Roy

Funny, that's exactly how I'd describe Ring of Honor (at this point 5-6 might even be a stretch), and it's not a knock. ECW was the place that broke in super talented wrestlers to the NA audience, the Malenkos, Benoits, Jerichos, Saturns, Guerreros, Mysterios etc., but they reached a point where they simply could no longer find that kind of talent on the open market, as WCW and WWE snatched anyone even remotely qualified or over up, and that's what I want to see ROH avoid. I like Ring of Honor but I see it as mostly a place for young wrestlers to apply and learn their craft in a "big room indy" atmosphere. When you look at the guys ECW used to have, those guys were far and away more talented and polished than what ROH has, it's the death of the territory system and WCW rearing it's ugly head. They bring in guys with buzz, and talented, well-regarded "cult" names, but really, there isn't a whole lot of polished, star quality talent out there that isn't already in the grasps of TNA and WWE. TNA and WWE will also continue to poach guys from ROH who do reach that level, which is why I don't see ROH having major growth potential, because it will always be a revolving door, prove yourself here kind of thing. The good news is ROH has shown an ability to let guys go out there and get themselves over, so if someone is even "decent" (decent being a positive thing) there's a good chance for him to advance up the card.

If Gabe is smart, being stuck in the middle can do nothing but good. Neither company wants to put him out of business, but he needs to avoid being forced to choose one over the other. Losing talent IS a valid concern, say what you will but that hurt ECW as much as anything, and the talent pool is more shallow these days. If TNA started trying to sign up guys exclusively, and Vince responded by raiding ROH....that's a nightmare scenario. Wouldn't kill ROH because the fans are loyal to the product, but it would set them back aways. I don't really like this article though, because it pre-supposes that to survive ROH must constantly grow and expand to new markets, which I don't necessarily see as a valid concern. There's nothing wrong with the niche they have, as long as they pay out to the boys and turn a profit. Outreaching their grasp and blowing a ton of money with ill advised decisions is THE worst thing they could do. Ring of Honor is not a company on the verge of going national, not even close, and to think they could is silly. I agree on improving the web site, dvds, and street team....baby steps....

Francoeur has put in even less time than Gomes, he just barely has 200 ABs

amen

personally, I guess I misworded it, but based on the #'s I'd vote Cantu or Gomes over Iguchi, without taking the pro-experience into account. But as a basic approach, I wouldn't vote for experienced Japanese professionals, regardless of the rules. I thought it was retarded when Ichiro won rookie of the year, and my position hasn't changed at all since then. I could see a guy who played a year or two in Japan, it would be the equivalent of the minors, but when you've got former MVPs and 30 year old dudes qualifying for a rookie award something is out of whack.

I can't wait to see where Spree ends up. Phoenix? Miami? Dallas? It seems inevitable that he'll probably end up in Toronto, just when you thought they couldn't be any more of a train wreck.

AL: MVP - A-Rod CY - Bartolo Colon ROY - Does Cantu qualify? If not I'd say Gomes, I don't like giving it to guys who've played pro in Japan for so many years. Gomes has a highly respectable ops for a rookie and projects great numbers over a full season. NL: MVP - Pujols CY - Carpenter and no one should even CONSIDER anyone else ROY - Willy Tavares

I miss Anglesault

I'd like to think I'm a reasonable Yankees fan. What would the board say? yeah, Yankee fans get some undue shit, but it's a fucking sport, who cares?

who doesn't like super charismatic shaq? dude is hilarious, he's intelligent, and he flat out knows how to work a crowd.

I think Angle gets a short term run with the belt, call me crazy. the most likely scenario I see involving Angle with the belt is as a transition to HHH, who would then drop it back to Cena at Wrestlemania.

PPV: Jericho v. Cena (I liked it better than Angle v. HBK, sue me). This will buck popular opinion, but Orton-Taker was my favorite match at Mania. TV: I really liked the Edge-Benoit-HHH 3-way w/ the false title switch from early in the year, and I think there was an awesome Edge-Benoit match or two around that same time. Rey and Eddie had a great match on TV before Mania, I guess it was the post-Vengenace one people have mentioned. Angle v. Marty was awesome. I liked Shelton v. HBK, but not as much as other people seem to. Benoit v. Regal was great (better than Shelton/HBK IMO). I didn't like the JBL/Taker matches much, but I've seen a lot of people pimping those. Like people have said though, it's been a ***-**** year for the WWE, which makes it really hard to pick a clear cut MOTY.

Agreed on that. That's a minor complaint though, it was still an excellent contest, even if the stretch run didn't match the awesomeness of the body.

It appears not, but expect plenty more Diva Searches. I'm surprised WWE have been so quick to admit that their TE contests were mistakes, as shown by releasing so many of their contestants/winners in relatively short order. How does it happen that Dan Puder is never given truly a chance on WWE TV whilst a TE reject is packaged into the Boogeyman, whisked through OVW and would surely have been on WWE TV already had fate not intervened? Are any of the other Tough Enough contestants still being used in developmental? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's a shame the TE winners couldn't pose in Playboy

The Sox pitching has fallen off, they're getting 1 good, 1 bad from most of the guys, and they miss Podsednik at the top of the lineup, despite the %'s he's a difference maker. Cleveland is obviously the hotter team at the moment, it's just a matter of Chicago's pitching holding them off. *nevermind, I didn't even realize he was back, fuck Chicago

All of which is why he should go heel. He's not cool, and nobody buys his schtick and babyface routine. He'll always get heat and pops, but as proven by the Hogan shit he can be much better utilized as a heel. Until the live crowds turn on him though, they'll never make the change. And it's wrestling, we all suspend disbelief in different way, if we're going to talk believeability then Cena should never be champion, as his work constantly exposes the business. If Michaels is playing heel he can use enough tricks to believeably beat 90% of the roster for one reason or another, but it shouldn't happen as a face. HBK should be the crafty old cheating bastard, like his DX in-ring character without the back breaking bumps.

I can't believe anyone actually watched those tough enough segments....

Michaels works more shows than HHH. More than Taker. That's the WWE's big three of firmly established stars. He was retired. Now he's not, it just feels like he is because his character acts like it.

It's Tracy Morgan

Amen. I also like how mature the moderator around here is

Agassi looks to be out of his zone...missing a lot of shots..

Willie Ponder (sp) with a NINETY FIVE yd TD return! That was sick!

Hahahhaa, Warner with an awesome little rollout fake to Larry Fitzgerald for the 2 yd TD. 10 catches, 100+ yds...td...great game for him.... Warner misses the two point conversion, 21-19 NYG. Silly to go for 2 there.

Fitz was this close to a TD, career high 9 catches already, 23 minutes to go....

And now Tiki with a big time TD run after an INT, Giants came out of the half ROLLING!