By Pat McNeill, PWTorch columnist

Wake the pets and call the neighbors. It's time for our semi-monthly ROH internet VOD 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 Ceilings by Celotex. Choose from a wide variety of patterns, colors and textures. All so beautiful and easy to install, they'll enhance any room. 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.

Yes, Ring of Honor is celebrating its 12th Anniversary tonight in Philadelphia. And no, you can't watch it live, unless you're in the building. But this *is* the long-awaited battle for the ROH Heavyweight Title, so we definitely have to cover it here.

Ring of Honor has frowned upon the idea of me posting the current episode of the television show in my preview columns. But that's okay. Here's the ROH show from February 1st, which kicks off with Andrew Everett battling Hanson in the 2014 Top Prospect Tournament. Kevin Kelly, Steve Corino & Prince Nana had the call.



And without further ado, let's roll right into this month's Wrestling History Lesson. Twenty years ago, there was this company called World Championship Wrestling (WCW). WCW had a February pay-per-view called "WCW SuperBrawl IV" on February 20, 1994, from the Civic Center in Albany, Georgia. That show featured a precursor of "Hell in a Cell" called the Thundercage. Here's Sting, Dustin Rhodes & the late Brian Pillman taking on Steve Austin, Paul Orndorff & the late Rick Rude in a Thundercage grudge match. Tony Schiavone & Bobby Heenan had the call.



And, as your free gift for viewing this column, let's take you back to February 14, 2004 and Ring of Honor's Second Anniversary Show in Braintree, Massachusetts. It's A.J. Styles vs. C.M. Punk for the ROH Pure Wrestling tonight, and it was the main event. Chris Lovey and Ray Morrow had the call.



On with the projections!

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

Mark Briscoe, Adam Page & Cedric Alexander vs. Age Of The Decade (BJ Whitmer, Jimmy Jacobs & Roderick Strong): So, who gets sacrificed in the opening match of the Anniversary show. Mark Briscoe and the new blood, or Jimmy Jacobs' new stable. Projection Young Cedric catches Whitmer with a brainbuster to get the win. This touches off a mini-feud between Alexander and The Decade. That'll do.

Silas Young vs. Matt Taven: Okay then. Projection Silas wins with the springboard lariat, and Matt Taven's character continues to struggle.

Tomasso Ciampa vs. Hanson (ROH TV Title): Wouldn't it be a bunch of fun if Hanson scored the upset and took the title? Maybe, but that's not how Ring of Honor works. Projection? Hanson gets to look good, and even hits his "Where's The Love?" Tiger Driver, but Ciampa rolls Hanson up and keeps the television title.

Jay Briscoe vs. Michael Bennett (Briscoe World Title): Last week, it was Bennett scoring a victory over Mark Briscoe to set this up. Projection? Jay Briscoe hits the Jay Driller to retain his unofficial title.

ReDragon (Yum!) vs. Adrenaline Rush (ROH World Tag Team Titles) : This is a return match from last weekend's show in San Antonio, and it should be a lot of fun. But there's no way Red Dragon loses the championships before they meet the Young Bucks in Chicago. So... Projection? Fish catches Thomas with a Flying Fish Hook (they're all the rage now) and the champs win again.

Kevin Steen vs. Cliff Compton (Unsanctioned Street Fight): Kevin Steen just won a Number One Contenders Match last weekend in San Anotnio. And Cliff Compton is still...Cliff Compton. Projection? Kevin and Cliff brawl over the building, then Steen package piledrives Compton through a table for a win.

Michael Elgin vs. Matt Hardy: Ring of Honor is trying to build Michael Elgin back up after having him fall short (twice) against Adam Cole. Matt Hardy, on the other hand, can lose a match to a top opponent without losing much of his heet. Projection The Unbreakable One defeats Hardy with a spinning powerbomb.

A.J. Styles vs. Jay Lethal: I finally caught up on ROH DVD's to the point where I watched "Killer Instinct" earlier this week. After that, I'll add Jay Lethal to the list of wrestlers who never learned how to do the "snapping and losing his mind" character. It made Kevin Steen look like Master Thespian. Projection? Styles wins with the Styles Clash.

Adam Cole vs. Chris Hero (ROH World Title): Chris Hero is as over as he'll ever be, so a title switch would make sense on that level. But Hero's wrestling everywhere, (including the Dragon Gate USA show on Sunday) so ROH will want to keep their main belt in the family. For now. Projection? Matt Hardy distracts Hero (I know, you're shocked) and Cole hits the Florida Key to keep the ROH World Title.

Aftermath: I'd save the next round of Adam Cole vs. Jay Briscoe for Supercard of Honor. But that's me.

***
Pat McNeill of Richmond, Va. has been a Torch columnist since February 2001. He doesn't think he'll get much sleep for the next, oh, ten days or so.

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