Hawk 34

That was basically my inital thought as well, my original prediction was that the surprise doesn't involve Danielson or Strong anyways. I'm predicting some sort of format change to set up Strong/Danielson III for tonight (be it a rumble or tournament). However, the full refund promise might bite Gabe in the ass because some people might just be afraid of the snow and want to leave early. Apparently, this is the biggest snowstorm in LI in awhile.

I should note, Austin Aries and Roderick Strong decided to work tonight's ROH show instead of flying to Orlando early to beat the snowstorm. Lethal, 'Cide and Shelley were also booked for that show and have agreed to cancel the ROH show and fly to Orlando. Some might argue this is suicide from Aries and Strong.

Yes and at this point, losing that match likely doesn't hurt to much. They can always slide Jimmy Rave into Shelley's spot (Rave/Danielson is booked for 2/25 anyways). Right now, I'm looking at a one night tournament to make for the show. It'll be impossible to get people to fly/drive into LI now, with the weather. What they have right now, is what they have to work with. We might see the return of RRC to cover the lost of 3 major parts of tonight's show.

7:30. I started a 2.11.06 thread specific for the show itself, since this was about the hype/speculation.

I know we have a thread already opened speculating on what tonight's show will result in but I felt giving tonight's big event it's own thread was worth it. Here is what has been officially announced ROH Title Match “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson Vs Alex Shelley ROH Pure Title Match Nigel McGuiness Vs Austin Aries - No other match has been announced as of right now. Gabe made a rare promise and guarantee that tonight’s show has a big surprise that won't disapoint, and that by missing it, it will be a regret fans will never forget (playing off an old ECW hype) and might even introduce a different format. Also, offered a full refund by the end of the 3rd match to any fans disappointed. Speculation as to what this surprise is has ranged from Jericho, Foley, Benoit, Regal, Kobashi, Jarrett, London, Gibson, Paul Heyman, Spanky and CM Punk. DOI reports Punk is in LI right now, although it’s not uncommon for Punk to appear backstage for ROH shows (he recently attended the ROH show in Dayton just 2 weeks ago, alongside Al Snow). It was reported by PWI, that TNA has requested that Alex Shelley, Homicide and Jay Lethal not appear at the ROH show and head to Orlando because they are booked for 2/12 PPV and there is a massive snowstorm on the way for the Long Island area. Austin Aries and Roderick Strong, decided to stay in Long Island, despite also being booked for the TNA ppv. Samoa Joe is also not scheduled for the show either is Daniels and AJ Styles. (Joe and Daniels, are flying in from Korea into Orlando) To say ROH is lacking star-power is a understatement. It potentially has lost it’s main event tonight with Shelley out. It will be quite an eventful night, with a lot of questions and expectations abound.

Another example of why monthly PPV's aren't a good idea for TNA right now.

I don't know about history, but i loved the three way between Doane, Punk and Albright not so long ago.

Basically they are just going to put everyone that works with the company in the HOF first. Maybe that's the only way they can get anyone to bother with HOF. Offer them jobs.

Why? Same concept, but allows more freedom. It's also different then the generic "Cruiserweight" name. Lesnar is 6'3 legit, Abyss is 6'3 legit. Monty Brown was paired with Billy Gunn, who was at least as tall if not taller then Brown. Monty, isn't promoted as BIG GUY, he's promoted as a primal beast inside the ring, not unlike Rhyno. Only Abyss is really marketed as a monster via his height. Rhyno and Brown, are promoted based on their intensity. There's a difference.

Not to mention, it most likely wouldn't be the only thing going on that night. There's only 2 matches booked and 15 guys without any scheduled matches. There is bound to be a some major format change be it a one night tournament, lethal lottery, FIP style rumble... I don't believe it's one specific event/person as the surprise. It is Unscripted 2. The fans, wouldn't be disapointed with Heyman coming out to do a shoot promo, as long as there is a payoff, which COULD be Cornette making a surprise appearence as he is the commish of ROH. Cornette hates Heyman and vice versa, but they know good business when it's there. These two ripping each other leading to a one night war between them leading to some sort of a big tag match main event involving the two wouldn't disapoint the fans.

I see this match, not as "winner goes to wm title match" but rather, "loser goes over Benoit @ Mania".

They wanted (and likely still are) to put this on Mania.

Which is why you usually see wrestlers get involved with others already in the business. The only wrestler's wife that fits the "high quality" of life, as far as I can see is most likely The Rock's wife.

Finlay will main event WMXXIII.

This, without question is the highlight of my life.

That guy is taller then Rey. He is the Andre of the midgets.

Nice to see this thread back in action, some great selections with the Pillman/Flair, Jumbo/Funk but the Misawa/Kawada is broken

Where's the uproar about booker using a dead man for a punch-line? Oh, he wasn't a wrestler. That makes him fair game.

Did they ever really explain the break-up between JBL and Jordan? I'm sure they had some sort of skit but I don't recall anything of the like.

Lets hope sanity hit the company after the backlash of late with the whole Guerrero thing. Otherwise this will hit new PR lows for the company, even worse than what they did/didnt do during the whole Owen Hart death and the months after it. Horrible state of affairs too, just leading to Mania with one of the most ridiculous builds to a horrible possible Angle/Orton match for the title. Guess what, the press stopped giving a shit about WWE after Billy and Chuck. It's partially because of this, we are force fed this shit.

Basically, WWE was to lazy to alter the booking plans for Eddy/Orton that was set in place once they decided Eddy was getting the gold.

Fuck that, it's not like Mysterio, Benoit, Konnan, Chavo, Jericho etc can't kick in a little change their way. There's better ways to giving yourself a cash flow then using your late husband and father's name for Vince McMahon's worthless ego and sick twisted dementia.

Like I said, I enjoy the winter games more. It's mostly because it's not America's time, although local and national media will try to convince us that we are big shots at the winter games. I like seeing sports that ESPN will never air, I like the luge, speed skating and hockey the most but there's usually something I don't think about that i stumble onto and find fantastically fun. I remember after seeing Cool Runnings, being all excited to see the bobsledding events.

You know, Smackdown is taped. Just edit in boo's.

The new buzz is that it involves Paul Heyman because of the ECW hint in today's newswire.