For a few years, Ring of Honor soft-pedaled through a kinda-sorta, not-really Invasion Angle involving S.C.U.M. First, Kevin Steen feuded with lead authority figure Jim Cornette, but Steen was still cheered opposite the perceived fuddy-duddy Cornette. Then, Cornette left and Nigel McGuinness entered the scene.

Saturday night, ROH went all-out with another wrestling invasion angle, throwing new wrestlers in the S.C.U.M. group and closing the 11th Anniversary iPPV with a wild brawl that saw S.C.U.M. take the upperhand. (We'll set aside the Aces...yawn...and Eights references for now. Wait, has anyone heard from Kurt Angle since he was "kidnapped" at the end of Impact? Okay, moving on.)

The "wrestling invasion" angle has become a tired crutch for wrestling promoters who either (a) can't make new stars, (b) aren't disciplined to build up singles or tag feuds that put the focus on individual wrestlers competing for titles or prestige or a cause, or (c) have devalued an important aspect of their presentation (e.g. WWE de-valuing mid-card titles).

But, if ROH is going this route, they actually have an opportunity to address their #1 need - making a new top babyface star. It starts Saturday night at the ROH TV taping in Chicago when eyes will be on how Ring of Honor books the first show following the PPV angle.

One of the biggest issues facing ROH under Sinclair Broadcasting over the last few years has been the lack of a centerpiece babyface star. Davey Richards fell in and out favor with management, other wrestlers signed with WWE or bolted for TNA, and some wrestlers just don't have that #1, centerpiece, franchise QB quality.

But, now the stage is set for someone - it could be anyone - from the ROH roster to step out of the shadows and step to the front of the line of the ROH locker room to cut that passionate, fired-up, but not cheesy or cringe-worthy babyface promo defending what ROH stands for. It has to be someone who has credibility with the audience and can name-drop the stars that "made ROH" and put the company on the map without it coming across like pandering to the audience.

Because, if ROH is going to navigate this cringe-worthy route of "defending the brand" against the evil forces attempting to tear it down, then they need someone to step up and be the face of the brand.

Like the stars from the past such as Samoa Joe, C.M. Punk, Bryan Danielson, Nigel McGuinness, and Austin Aries who helped put ROH on the map and then maintain what it stands for.

So, who will that person be? ROH has one shot to identify that person to step to the front of the line Sunday night in Chicago. For ROH head booker Hunter Johnston (Delirious), it's his big moment to step out of Jim Cornette's lingering shadow and put a big stamp on his booking regime.

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