ROH Supercard of Honor XI Preview

ROH Supercard of Honor XI will take place on Saturday, Apr. 1 from the Lakeland Center in Lakeland, FL.

Forget about the rumors of WWE trying to purchase Ring of Honor and/or their video library. Forget the rumors that Adam Cole and others possibly heading to NXT in the near future. Forget about Impact Wrestling sending legal threats to intellectual property rights over Matt and Jeff Hardy. None of that matters, as ROH Supercard of Honor, is taking place.

ROH is coming off two of their most high-profile events. Manhattan Mayhem VI and the 15th Anniversary Show. In Manhattan, the professional wrestling world saw the Broken Hardys make their ROH debut and defeat the Young Bucks for their ROH tag team gold. Bully Ray also made his ROH debut that night at the Hammerstein Ballroom, by putting then-ROH World Champion Adam Cole through a table.

One week later, ROH held their 15th Anniversary Show, which by all accounts was a great night of professional wrestling. Not only did Bully Ray make his in-ring debut and the Hardys successfully defend their tag titles. But the “Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels finally captured the ROH World title by defeating Adam Cole (BAY-BAY) in a fantastic main event.

Three weeks later and here we are. A high bar has been set following their 15th Anniversary show. Not to mention Supercard of Honor XI will be going head to head with NXT Takeover over WrestleMania weekend.

First, let’s take a look at the undercard of the Supercard.

Oct 15, 2016; Dearborn, MI, USA; Frankie Kazarian makes his entrance during the eighth match at Ford Community and Performing Arts Center. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The Kingdom vs Beer City Bruiser & Silas Young

The Kingdom recently lost their Six-Man Tag Team titles after TK O’Ryan suffered a leg injury during their match at the 15th Anniversary Show (O’Ryan overshot a moonsault and his legs hit the guard rail). Silas Young would fill in for the injured TK the following night as the Kingdom unsuccessfully defended their titles against The Briscoes and Bully Ray.

So this match will see Matt Taven and Vinny Marseglia go up against the “Last Real Man” Silas Young and Beer City Bruiser. Look for the Kingdom to take their frustration out on Young for their title loss. If Young and Beer City Bruiser get the win, it should be considered an upset.

Dragon Lee & Jay White vs Volador Jr & Will Ospreay

Dragon Lee defeated Will Ospreay in a very good match at the Manhattan Mayhem show. At the same show Jay White teamed with Lio Rush to take on the Young Bucks in a tag title match. While that tag match was also good, it was completely overshadowed by the surprise debut of the Hardys which immediately followed that match.

This match, on paper at least, looks like a spot-fest waiting to happen and with that being said, it should be really fun and really entertaining. Ospreay lost to Dragon Lee clean earlier this month so don’t be surprised if he gets his win back.

Frankie Kazarian vs Punishment Martinez

Kaz turned on his longtime friend and tag partner Christopher Daniels to join Bullet Club prior to the 15th Anniversary Show. Then at the show, Kaz won a match to become a number one contender for the ROH TV title. Later that night he would turn on Adam Cole (and Bullet Club) to help the Fallen Angel finally win the ROH title.

Punishment Martinez was in the Six-Man Mayhem match to determine the number one contender to the ROH TV title. As stated earlier Kaz won said match. However, Punishment Martinez looked like a true monster in that match. Even though he did not win the TV title shot, he walked out looking strong.

Out of all the undercard matches (that lack a stipulation), this might be the most underestimated contest. Both men can put on a good match and both have something to prove going in.
If Kazarian wins, he looks strong going into a ROH TV title match. If Punishment wins, he has a case to enter the ROH TV title scene.