By Pat McNeill, PWTorch columnist

Wake the pets and call the neighbors. It's time for our semi-monthly ROH internet pay-per-view preview column!

DISCLAIMER: Projections are made by myself and for myself with absolutely no assistance from Gary Juster, Nigel McGuinness or The Man With The Lizard Face. Projections are not predictions, because this is the column where everything's made up and the points don't matter. This preview has been sealed in a mayonnaise jar on Funk & Wagnall's porch since noon today. Some of our departing contestants will receive a set of dinnerware from Nikko. Contemporary designs in today's colors. Elegant and versatile, for formal dining or everyday use. Microwave and dishwasher safe, from Nikko. Remember, this is only an exhibition. This is not a competition. Please, please, no wagering. This lineup is based on the best available information as of this writing. These predictions are based on what the columnist would do if he had creative control over ROH, unless a better one-liner comes along.

The big news going into this weekend is the battle between Ring of Honor and S.C.U.M. Let us take you back to the March 30th episode of ROH television, with the main event was Jay Lethal, Michael Elgin & B.J. Whitmer taking on Rhino, Matt Hardy & Steve Corino. Sounds fun, doesn't it?


By.Rulez.H.O.R.2013.3.30.WEB.HD by drmasti5050

And without further ado, let's roll right into this month's Wrestling History Lesson. Fifteen years ago, on April 6, 1998, WCW brought Monday Nitro to Miami, Florida. Your main event? Sting put the WCW World Heavyweight Title on the line against WCW World Tag Team Champion "Big Sexy" Kevin Nash. Tony Schiavone and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan had the call.





And, as your free gift for viewing this column, let's take you back to ROH's 10th Anniversary Show, from March 4, 2012 in Manhattan, New York. The Briscoe Brothers defended the ROH World Tag Team Titles against another pair of brothers, Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson, the Young Bucks, Your announcers are Kevin Kelly & Nigel McGuinness.



On with the projections!

I have no idea what the dark match will be for this show, but I hope Pepper Parks is involved.

ACH & Tadarius Thomas vs. Q.T. Marshall & a Mystery Partner (w/ Barrister Archibald R.D. Evans): No, I don't know who the Mystery Partner. But if it were me, I'd use Silas Young. Silas is a good heel, and can fill the roster spot recently vacated by Prince Charles Haas. Projection ACH hits the Dragon Fly on Marshall, as ACH's run to the title coincides with the dawning of the Age of Tadarius.

Shelton Benjamin vs. Not Charlie Haas: Who can Ring of Honor bring in to cover for the absence of Mister Haas? I don't know. But as long as Mike Bennett hasn't signed with WWE, why not use him in this slot? Projection? Shelton catches Bennett with Paydirt and goes out a winner on his way to, um, wherever he's heading.

Mark Briscoe, Mike Mondo, B.J. Whitmer, Caprice Coleman & Cedric Alexander vs. Jimmy Jacobs, Jimmy Rave, Rhino, Cliff Compton & Rhett Titus w/ Steve Corino (10-Man Tag): This could be a trainwreck. Then again, with all the talent and experience in the ring, it could also be a hell of a lot of fun. Projection? Rave brings back the Rave Clash and pins the returning Mondo, drawing a ton of heat.

Karl "Machine Gun" Anderson vs. Roderick Strong: The Machine Gun is back from New Japan, and this should be a fantastic bout. But you'd have to wonder if Anderson's heading all the way to New York to go 0-2 this weekend. I wouldn't run it that way. Projection? Anderson wins with the Gun Stun. Don't worry, his weekend isn't over yet.

Michael Elgin vs. Jay Lethal: Lethal's quest to capture the ROH title has been a compelling story. Then again, so is Elgin's. Projection? Elgin pulls off the victory with the spinning powerbomb, making a frustrated Lethal just a bit more frustrated.

Matt Taven (w/ Harry Hooplah) vs. Adam Cole vs. Matt Hardy (ROH Television Title): This is the one fans have been waiting for. But when you look at this bout, ask yourself who can make the most use out of the ROH Television Title. Projection? Cole hits the Florida Key on Hardy, but Taven steals the pin. This gives Cole incentive to get another crack at Taven, and legitimizes the new champ by having him beat the "icon." Plus, it's not like ROH can't find other things for Matt to do.

Red Dragon (Yum!) vs. The American Wolves (ROH World Tag Team Titles): Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards are a great team, and many think they're a lock to regain the ROH Tag Team Titles. But the Fish & O'Reilly just captured the championships a month ago. Projection? Bobby and Kyle hit Davey with Chasing the Dragon, and O'Reilly pins his former partner to hang on to the gold.

Kevin Steen vs. Jay Briscoe (ROH World Title): Is Jay Briscoe over enough to be Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Champion? Of course he is. But that's not how this works, is it? Projection? Steen survives the Jay Driller and hits the F-Cinq to regain the title. S.C.U.M. drops by for a postmatch beatdown, but Steen again refuses to participate.

Aftermath: On Saturday's big television taping, Elgin scores a win over Karl Anderson, giving the Unbreakable One some momentum going into Steen vs. Elgin II at Border Wars on May 4. That should be pretty awesome.



***

Pat McNeill of Richmond, Va. has been a Torch columnist since February 2001. One down, two to go.

We suggest these recent related articles...

McNEILL's Late Night Deadblog - WWE Night of Champions: Bucklebombs, Light-up Jackets, Poachers, IcoPro, Eddie, more!

Night of Gold: McNEILL Previews Night Of Champions 2015 (w/Wrestling History Lesson)

Double Duty: McNEILL previews ROH's All-Star Extravaganza VII pay-per-view!