By Holden McNeil
It’s been a long time coming, since June of 2006 to be exact. That was when Davey Richards made his debut for Ring of Honor with an explosive victory over Jimmy Rave at “Destiny”. At the time the show was named as such because of the Homicide versus Danielson main event for the ROH World Title, and the feeling that it was Homicide’s destiny to claim that belt on that night. But now that name event title could take on a whole new meaning.
One could look back at that night and see at it as a fulfillment of Davey Richards’ destiny to arrive here in ROH, or it could be looked as simply the beginning of Richard’s trials to fulfill that destiny: the destiny of becoming ROH World Champion. Well on Friday night November 13th, when ROH debuts at the Rock Financial Place in Novi, MI, Richards will get his first chance to fulfill that destiny in one-on-one competition. And it’s the man who was defending the ROH World Tag Titles the night Richards debuted that is this wolf’s prey.
Austin Aries has been carrying the ROH World Title since “Manhattan Mayhem III” in June, and in the nearly five months since becoming champion, has successfully defended the belt on eight occasions. Some of those have been questionable victories, some of the matches have been forced upon the champ, but by hook or crook, the only two-time World Champ in ROH history has managed to keep his grip on the title. But none of the men he has faced since June bring to the table all the attributes of Davey Richards. None of his previous opponents have come into the match with such tremendous momentum, and with such a focused desire to become champion. For Richards, claiming the belt was about proving himself the best wrestler in the world, not about a personal grudge or vendetta.
And maybe that’s why Aries elected to walk out on Richards at “Survival of the Fittest 2009” during their tag match with the Briscoes. Maybe the whole song-and-dance was a premeditated attempt by the World Champ to shake Richard’s focus and make this into a personal issue. After all, when emotions get involved, logic tends to be the first thing out the window, and it wouldn’t be much of a stretch for Aries to do whatever it takes to get a leg up on his challengers before actually having to face them. This sort of mind-game has worked for the champ before, and it could very well work again.
The question is whether an angry, out of control Wolf is any easier to handle than a calm, focused one. Aries, and the ROH faithful, will have to wait until 11/13 to find out the answer to that question. But a little insight may come from the last words Richards said to Shane Hagadorn in Indianapolis, “Call Eddie, tell him that Aries is dead.”
Tickets are on sale right now at www.rohwrestling.com for this live event on November 13th in Novi, MI that also features KENTA vs. Kenny Omega, Steen & Generico vs. The Young Bucks, Chris Hero vs. Roderick Strong, and much more!
