ROH News: Jay Lethal's Future, Top Prospect Tournament Returns
- At Final Battle 2012, Jay Lethal swore a fight against ROH World Champion Kevin Steen as a result of his Survival of the Fittest win. Clearly, this ended up not happening. However, as a result, Lethal spit in the face of Ring of Honor Match Maker Nigel McGuinness, who then had Lethal forcibly removed from the building by security. Following the altercation, McGuinness had this to say:
"I can understand why Jay Lethal would be so upset. He was attacked by Corino and Jacobs, despite being owed a title shot for winning Survival of the Fittest he has been boxed out of the World Title picture while Kevin Steen remains champion, and Steen insulted his family in a very disgusting fashion back at Killer Instinct. Despite all that, it doesn't give Jay the right to do what he did in New York City but it does make his action more...understandable. So for now let me just say that Lethal will NOT be suspended for his actions and that I will further address the situation after the new year, specifically in Baltimore on January 5th."
According to ROHWrestling.com, McGuinness has signed Lethal's matches for the Ring Of Honor live events on January 18th in Dearborn, MI, and on January 19th in Milwaukee. In Michigan on the 18th, Jay Lethal is set to go one on one with one of the men who attacked him, former ROH World Tag Team Champion Steve Corino. In Milwaukee on the 19th, Lethal is set for 6-man tag action, teaming with Jay and Mark Briscoe to face Steve Corino, Jimmy Jacobs and Rhino.
As of yet, it's unclear how Rhino fits into the picture. Tickets for both events are on sale now.
- ROH Match Maker Nigel McGuinness has announced that on January 5th in Baltimore, for the first ROH TV tapings of the New Year, the Top Prospect Tournament will make its return.
The first Top Prospect tournament was held at the start of 2011, when Ring of Honor officials wanted a way to give younger wrestlers a chance at Christopher Daniels' TV Title. Mike Bennett ended up winning the tournament, who then went on to unsuccessfully challenge Daniels.
McGuinness had this to say about the return of the tournament:
"There are too many talented young wrestlers out there. And sadly, despite their talents, not a lot of them get that opportunity to shine on the big stage. Well in 2013 we will see those wrestlers just such a chance with the return of this tournament. Eight men will field the brackets, all who have seen ROH competition in the past, some haven't cemented a spot and some who are even under contract but have yet to truly breakout. This is your chance boys, your chance to step up to plate and knock it out and show me and the Ring of Honor fans why you deserve this opportunity. And sunshine, I promise that the winner of this will have something special waiting for them on the other side."
Furthermore, the first two wrestlers to compete in the tournament have already been announced.
The first is ACH, who impressed ROH officials with his performance at Death Before Dishonor X against Kyle O' Reilly. A Top Prospect Tournament win would surely put him in the driver seat for a more permanent ROH roster spot.
The second is QT Marshall, who has been on a bit of a losing streak as of late ever since earning his ROH contract at Boiling Point 2012.
Six other wrestlers will compete against ACH and Marshall in the single elimination tournament for, according to McGuinness, "something special."
Tickets for the Top Prospect Tournament in Baltimore on January 5th, 2012 are on sale now.
Source: ROHWrestling