Ring of Honor and New Japan War of the Worlds match card line-up (and last minute rumors)

Ring of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) are holding the second of two North American events tonight, in New York City at the Legendary Hammerstein Ballroom.  The show, War of the Worlds, has long been sold out, but fans around the world can watch on internet pay-per-view (iPPV) via UStream for $14.95.

For those who had tried ROH iPPV in the past and been burned by feed or quality issues when the company was handling the streaming themselves or partnering with other players, last week's Global Wars show carried by UStream came off very well, with most issues I have heard about fixed by a quick refresh.

Here's a quick look at the card, complete with promotional videos that ROH has released for a couple of the bigger angles or matches featuring their biggest stars:

IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

"Unbreakable" Michael Elgin vs. AJ Styles (c)

Styles departed TNA and quickly began working independent dates in the United States, including some with ROH - a company of which he is considered a 'founding father'.  AJ also assumed the top gaijin spot in NJPW for the WWE-bound Prince Devitt, turning heel, joining the Bullet Club stable and defeating IWGP Heavyweight Champion "Rainmaker" Kazuchika Okada for that prestigious belt.

Tonight, AJ has been booked to defend that title against ROH's "Unbreakable" Michael Elgin.  But news came out earlier this week that Okada's scheduled opponent, Cedric Alexander, would not be able to compete due to injuries sustained in a post-match beatdown by The Decade after he defeated Roderick Strong last week (for more on The Decade and other hot ROH angles of the moment, check out Cagesider Vidence's awesome primer).

Rumors are swirling that tonight's main event might become a triple threat with Okada getting another shot at Styles in a three-way dance for the IWGP top prize.  The release of this video, awesomely titled "Don't forget the RAINMAKER", seems to confirm or at least encourage that speculation:

IWGP WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. The Bullet Club's "Machine Gun" Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows (c)

Yes, it's WWE's Festus and Luke Gallows, AKA TNA's DOC who's one half of the team holding the gold.  Also yes, you should forget any negative connotations or jokes you want to make about that and watch this match.

Here's everyone's favorite crazy rednecks to sell you on it.  Don't hold their past homophobic tweets against them, they're just trying to get to the Tokyo Dome!

"King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura vs. "Mr Wrestling" Kevin Steen

Steen has been adrift a bit lately in ROH (while still putting on matches and cutting promos that delight his many fans, including yours truly), leading to speculation that he could be on his way to WWE himself (he apparently was part of a try-out, but no other news is known).

This should be another stiff, hard-hitting affair against a man who worked opposite Brock Lesnar for a good portion of his stint in NJPW.  As for the mic work:

ROH World Title Match

Adam Cole (c) vs. Jushin Liger

"Thunder" was incredibly over with the Toronto crowd last week, and this should be a fun showcase for the young heel champ (rumored to be on a handshake deal to jump to WWE after getting some more indy and worldwide seasoning) and the Japanese, lucha and WCW legend.

ROH Tag Team Title Match

The Young Bucks (c) vs. reDRagon

The Bullet Club members Mat & Nick Jackson also hold the IWGP Junior Heavyweight tag belts, but this is only for the ROH titles.  Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly will be cornered by UFC veteran Tom Lawler, adding a little "big fight feel" to what should already be a hot match.

@ROHOreilly & @FilthyTomLawlor chased me through the snow today in "Kyles mom's van," dressed as Russians. #TrainLikeRocky4

— Bobby Fish (@theBobbyFish) May 14, 2014

ROH World TV Championship

KUSHIDA vs. Jay Lethal w/ Truth Martini

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Michael Bennett w/ Maria Kanellis

Takaaki Watanabe & The Forever Hooligans (Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov) vs. ACH, Matt Taven & Tommaso Ciampa

Gedo & Jado vs. Roderick Strong & BJ Whitmer w/ Jimmy Jacobs

Caprice Coleman vs. Silas Young

What do you think, Cagesiders?  Worth 15 bucks and a Saturday night?

If you're watching, or just want to banter and find out what happens, we'll have an open thread with results going up around the planned 7:30 Eastern bell time.

Hope to see you there!