Ring of Honor Focus: Davey Richards Hunts for the World Title

Davey Richards may very well be the hottest wrestler on the independent circuit these days.

Combining speed, power and pure wrestling ability, Richards has developed a rabid, cult-like following of devoted fans. He has competed all over the globe and throughout the North American independent scene.

Success has followed him no matter where he has been.

In 2006, Richards won the East Coast Wrestling Association "Super 8" tournament. The "Super 8" is seen by many as a launching pad for up-and-coming talent and has been won by guys like Christopher Daniels, Low-Ki and Paul London.

Winning the tournament vaulted Richards to the top of the indy scene.

"The American Wolf" has spent time competing for various promotions all over America, including Full Impact Pro, Dragon Gate USA and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. He is currently the reigning PWG world champion and recently held the FIP world championship.

Despite his travels, Richards is most well known as a competitor for Ring of Honor.

Along with Eddie Edwards, Richards makes up one half of possibly the best tag team in the world today, The American Wolves.

The Wolves held the Ring of Honor world tag team championships for nearly one year before dropping them to the Briscoes at Final Battle 2009. Since then, both have begun to focus more and more on the singles ranks of ROH.

The two partners met in the finals of a tournament to crown the first ever ROH television champion. Edwards came out on top in an incredible bout, which was considered by some to be a bit of an upset.

Singles gold has managed to elude Richards throughout his career in ROH.

That could all change come Saturday, June 19 when Richards challenges Tyler Black for the ROH world championship in Toronto at "Death Before Dishonor VIII," ROH's fourth Internet pay-per-view event.

Fans have been buzzing since the match was made official a few weeks ago and they have every reason to be excited. There is no denying this one could be a potential match-of-the-year candidate.

"Next world champ" was the fans' mantra for Black for nearly two years during his quest to gain the ROH strap and now that he has it, people seem to feel the same way about Richards. It's hard to imagine anyone else currently on the ROH roster dethroning Black at this time.

The styles these men bring to the ring should compliment each other well and should lead to a high energy match loaded with excitement.

That is what makes this match-up so interesting. The stakes are incredibly high and both men need this victory badly.

If Black wins, he may finally silence his critics and prove he deserves to be the top dog in ROH. If Richards walks out of Toronto as the champion, he makes a very strong case to be considered the best wrestler in the world today.

This is not a match born out of a long standing rivalry or a deep personal hated between two men. This is a match born out of desire. This is two competitors simply wanting to be recognized as the very best.

One look into Richards' steely eyes shows how focused and intense he can be. Right now, that focus is directly aimed at Tyler Black and his Ring of Honor world heavyweight championship.

Black had better bring his A-game to Toronto, or else his name could be added to the ever-growing list of prey that has fallen to the clutches of "The American Wolf."

Photo courtesy of Scott Finkelstein