ROH News: Jay Briscoe stripped of the ROH Title, tournament to determine the new champion

Ring of Honor released a video of matchmaker Nigel McGuinness stripping Jay Briscoe of the ROH Title. "After the recent attacks at the TV taping, Jay Briscoe has been seriously injury and will not be medically cleared to compete for the foreseeable future," McGuinness said. "Given the nature of having to defend the Ring of Honor World Title within a specified period of time, I am forced to strip Jay Briscoe of the Ring of Honor World Title." You can view the footage at Youtube.com/watch?v=iuqoJZ94nX8

Powell's POV: Nigel noted in the video that the title has been declared vacant. He added that the rules state that if the champion can't defend his title, the ROH Championship goes to the No. 1 contender via forfeit. However, he indicated that No. 1 contender Michael Elgin essentially declined, so they will be holding a single elimination tournament that begins on July 27 in Providence, Rhode Island. He said the tournament will conclude in Philadelphia, Pa. at Death Before Dishonor XI. He also stated that Elgin is the first entrant in the tournament and the others will be announced in the days ahead on the ROH website.