Project 161 - The Ring of Honor Alternate Reality Game/Angle

[Andy Mancini]

Is anyone else following this? For those unaware, here are the details.

At last weekend's ROH shows, fans found the words "Abused Society" written on the mirrors in the bathroom. Others found fliers with the Abused Society web address (http://www.abusedsociety.com) on them. The site is filled with cryptic images, emo writing, and several references to "Project 161." Up until yesterday (July 31st), all of the threads on the official ROH board asking about the site or the fliers were immediately deleted. Last night however, several threads from a user calling himself "TheWorldParasite" started appearing. These threads say the kind of creepy, cryptic things you would expect from a person with a user name like that. The person in question is obviously a new user - board registration wasn't reopened until a few days ago. (Registration was suspended last year after the CZW "invasion" found its way to the message board.)

Any ideas on what is going on? Most believe that is signaling the return of Jimmy Jacobs. Others (like myself, for example) think that it has to do with Adam Pearce. His "Raven-esque" promo about, among other things, BJ Whitmer at the "Respect Is Earned" pay-per-view made many stand up and take notice. Also, the "Project 161" may be a reference to ROH's 161st show - a pay-per-view taping in Chicago. A more complete detailing of everything can be found here.

[PTurkey]

As the only other guy on these boards that follows non-big 2 wrestling, I feel the need to reply to this.

I went to the Ring of Honor show in Edison, NJ and I saw one of those flyers. I completely forgot about it because my mind was focused on awesome wrestling at the time, so you totally just reminded me of it.

Normally, I'd complain about WWE ripping off ideas, but if they came up with their own ARG with all the resources they have, I'd mark so hard.

Looking over that blog, Adam Pierce is involved. I'm thinking a Flock-like stable of him, Hagadorn, Whitmer definately. And either Rave and Jacobs, one or the other. Maybe the Ring Crew Express too. They were totally abused back in the day.

All the Chicago/Second City imagery could mean Ace Steel or Colt Cabana could've been released and they're bringing back the Saints? That's not happening at all, but maybe? Nah.

I'm suspicious of this "Erin" person who runs the blog. She's totally affiliated with RoH or Abused Society 'cause I don't think RoH has female fans. At least any that would be the first to start a blog on this. I think it could be an alias for one of the SHIMMER women who'll join the Society.

I plan on going to the Philly and Manhattan shows this month too, so hopefully more will be revealed at that time.