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["Sweet & Sour" ImSoFudginGreat]

Morishima Wins ROH World Title!!!
Sunday, February 18, 2007



Takeshi Morishima defeated Homicide to win the ROH World Title last Saturday in Philadelphia. Morishima's post match interview revealed that this title change could have international implications in Pro Wrestling NOAH.

Morishima was very aggressive against Homicide. He attacked the Champion in the aisle way during Homicide's ring entrance. This is the first time anyone has ever done this is in a ROH World Title Match. The hard-hitting bout saw Homicide bloody Morishima's nose. However, Morishima used a lariat and two backdrop drivers to defeat Homicide.

Morishima's actions in the post match didn't follow tradition just like the prematch attack. Post match BJ Whitmer and two students from the ROH Wrestling School entered the ring to congratulate the new champ as is customary in title changes. However, Morishima charged and took out all three men. The rest of the ROH locker room was in the aisle way on their way to the ring to congratulate Morishima. After Morishima's actions they all froze in their steps and parted like the Red Sea as Morishima stormed into the locker room.

Morishima's press conference with the Japanese media revealed that the new Champion would like to defend the ROH World Title on the March 4th Budokan Hall show against KENTA in Tokyo. However, Morishima must first get past BJ Whitmer this Friday in Dayton. If Whitmer does not win the title in Dayton there will be no ROH World Title defenses in Liverpool or Detroit. The pressure is on Whitmer so ROH can have World Title Matches on these four huge events. Whether it is England or Japan, the ROH belt will truly be a World Title on the first weekend of March.

For those of you not familiar with this super heavyweight from NOAH make sure to catch the new ROH Video Wire later this week for free at ROHvideos.com. It will feature extensive highlights of Morishima against Samoa Joe and Homicide.

Homicide had a title reign that he can be proud of. "The Notorious 187" traveled a long Road Of Homicide to one of the greatest moments in ROH history when he captured the belt at "Final Battle 2006" on 12/23/06 (the DVD has just been released at http://www.ROHwrestling.com). Homicide battled through tough title defenses against Chris Hero, Samoa Joe and Jimmy Rave.

Will the era of Morishima make it past Dayton this Friday?

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Thats a little harsh on the UK fans going to the show, or do you think Morishima will destroy BJ and then say he's coming to UK to destroy whoever ROH throw at him??

[MGH]

Man, they are building him like the most devastating monster in wrestling.

Sucks for the people who won't get to see a title match though. That's the only downside.

[Square]

Come on Whitmer I want to see a world title match live!

[Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby]

imsofookingreat said:

Morishima was very aggressive against Homicide. He attacked the Champion in the aisle way during Homicide's ring entrance. This is the first time anyone has ever done this is in a ROH World Title Match.

Can anyone confirm this? It's not like the Newswires are known for historical accuracy ("NIGEL NEVER TAPS" a few months after a brilliant Nigel/Strong match centered around the fact that Nigel tapped to the Stronghold).

[chibidiablo]

That's bullshit if he doesn't come here

[Chuckie Finster]

chibidiablo said:

That's bullcrap if he doesn't come here

To parts unknown. When has ROH ever run there?

[Square]

Last year

great show Main event was Jack Evans Vs Somoa Joe great spot by Jack

[chibidiablo]

Parts Unknown is in northwest England

[heyguesswhatidid]

Why did they have Joe beat him Friday, it would've been awesome if he squashed Joe.

[H-Fist]

Because it makes Joe look like gold. So that Joe might have to be the savior of ROH one last time before he leaves. A red herring, if nothing else. I mean, if only Joe can beat him (I can see the BJ/Morishima match last about 4 minutes unless Cide interferes), then it makes it all the more important when someone can take back the belt.

[MGH]

I didn't see this in any of the live reports but I LOVE this:

After Morishima's actions they all froze in their steps and parted like the Red Sea as Morishima stormed into the locker room.

This is how you make someone seem terrifying and unstoppable.

[HMARK Center]

God, I love this: Morishima is being portrayed like Joe was when he was initially brought in to be Chris Daniels' hired killer, but they're making him even more ferocious and uncontrollable, whereas early Joe at least had a sense of honor (shaking hands with Low Ki after losing to him at the first Glory By Honor).

I hope he sticks for the long term, long shot though that might be. Even if he doesn't, whoever beats him will look like solid gold.

And, yeah, Joe beating him on Friday builds Joe up as possibly ROH's only chance at salvation against the otherwise unmovable beast from the far east.

That said, don't short-sell Whitmer...he and Morishima will likely kill each other in their match...and it will be glorious.

[The Line]

I like Whitmer a ton. Have ever since his Prophecy days. I think he gets a bad rap.

[HMARK Center]

thebluedevil said:

I like Whitmer a ton. Have ever since his Prophecy days. I think he gets a bad rap.

Indeed. The guy's about the most reliable midcarder/upper-midcarder you could ask for right now, and a guy who, given the right circumstances, could even carry a belt around for awhile. Doesn't hurt that he's gone from "totally unable to speak" to "able to articulate a point decently" over the last few years, too.

[MGH]

I too like BJ Whitmer quite a bit. No he isn't Mr. 5 Star classic but in a brawl or in a stiff violent fight he delivers every time. I look for him to bump like mad for Morishima next Friday.

Also getting lost in all the excitement of this weekend was the return of Xavier, who I also think gets a bad rep at times. Being the weakest of the ROH champions isn't anything to be ashamed of. I've always enjoyed what I've seen of his work. I hope he along with Generico and Steen are brought in a lot this year.

[mcmahonfan85]

mygreatesthour said:

Also getting lost in all the excitement of this weekend was the return of Xavier, who I also think gets a bad rep at times. Being the weakest of the ROH champions...

i think if low ki had a lengthy title run, then xavier's would have been better. what's the point of having a champion refuse to defend the title if the title doesn't really mean that much (at that point)

also, i miss the "AC Slater" chants

[BD Punk AKA SUSPENDED!]

thebluedevil said:

I like Whitmer a ton. Have ever since his Prophecy days. I think he gets a bad rap.

I like Whitmer too and wouldn't mind him getting an ROH title reign. From the little browsing I do on the ROH message board though, it seems like the ROHbots don't care for him much.

[Big DSR Energy]

I'm not fond of Whitmer, but I haven't seen much of him.

[HMARK Center]

It seems Xavier is a guy ROH will call up when they need a warm body for a show in Manhattan or Long Island. That said, were he to make a full time (or at least semi-full time) comeback with the company, unless he's regressed or something over the last few years, I wouldn't have any complaints. Guy just got pushed too quickly back in 2002, I think.

[The Line]

yeah. I've always liked Xaviar.