Last night ROH officials put the program in motion once again and now we have our second “Survival of the Fittest 2012” Qualifying match, and it revisits one of the heated ROH World Title rivalries of 2011:
Roderick Strong vs. “The Notorious 187” Homicide!
During the nine month reign of Strong, Homicide was one of several individuals who made it their mission to claim the title. In fact, it was the Original Rotteweiler who crashed the party at “Glory by Honor IX” following Roderick's title victory over Tyler Black, letting Roddy know he had a bullseye on his head. Several months went by before they collided, but in those months Homicide remained unbeaten against the likes of Jay Briscoe, Kevin Steen, and El Generico. Still, when the “9th Anniversary Show” rolled around and Homicide finally got his shot, Strong proved the better man when he successfully retained his championship. They met one more time in a Four Corner Survival at “Defy or Deny” where 'Cide tried to earn another title opportunity, but he was eliminated from that opportunity by Jay Briscoe.
In that time since their last meeting, Strong lost the belt to Eddie Edwards and made several failed attempts to regain it from Edwards as well as Davey Richards after he defeated Eddie, and most recently against Kevin Steen at “Live Strong”. He also finds himself, despite what Truth Martini may claim, in the midst of chaos within The House of Truth, having briefly gone on strike against his allies.
Homicide, on the other hand, found himself on the wrong side of The Embassy when he took several defeats at the hands of Tommaso Ciampa and gained one pyrrhic victory over Rhino that saw him driven through a table. He ended up on the losing end of a Mike Bennett bout at “Final Battle 2011” but that joy of that victory was short-lived for “The Prodigy” as he saw his trainer get knocked out and his girlfriend nearly get dropped on her head. Homicide disappeared from the ROH scene for a few months, but returned with a vengeance at “Best in the World 2012: Hostage Crisis”, looking better than ever in a victory over Eddie Edwards. The joy of that triumph was brief however as he too felt the wrath of Kevin Steen on “Ring of Honor Wrestling” TV in a failed ROH World Title bid.
Now these two former champions, two men who actually united at “Survival of the Fittest 2006” in a tag team Qualifying Bout, will go head-to-head with each one hoping to earn another shot at the title belt they both cherish.
“I own Homicide.” said Strong to ROHWrestling.com, “When I was the champ, at the ninth anniversary, he couldn't even beat me in what he thinks is his own game. This won't be any different. I'm a Triple Crown champion, a former SOTF winner, not to mention the most athletic guy on the ROH roster. 2012 is going to be the year I add two time Survival of the Fittest winner and two time ROH World Champion to that resume and Homicide, there is no chance in hell I'm letting you be the guy to kill that for me!”
It's a clash of two former World champions as Roderick Strong & Homicide go one-on-one for “Survival of the Fittest 2012”! It all takes place on September 22nd at The Du Burns Arena in Baltimore, MD and tickets are on sale now by clicking here!!!
