The King Is Dead. The next will be soon
Joe's 21 month reign ended tonight in what was apparently a really good match with Austin Aries. Aries has certainly run through everyone in recent months--he beat Punk clean, beat Dragon clean, took Ki to a draw. It would have helped had he beat Ki leading in, but who knows what was behind that decision.

I wish Joe luck in New Japan, he will surely still be around at ROH when he can but not on every show. New Japan would be well-advised to book him as the fantastic monster that he is, and not blow a chance at a monster gaijin.

After their second draw in October, Punk pretty much promised he'd be challenging for the title again upon their return to Chicago. He'll make due on that promise and take the title from Aries then. From there, Aries has a ready-made feud with Shelley, and Punk has tons...

vs. Homicide
vs. Ki
vs. Cabana
vs. Shelley

And then of course the main 2:

vs. Joe: Punk will eventually have to face RoH's uncrowned champ that he could never beat to cement his status as champion. With the right build, this could be very special.

vs. Daniels: The clock is ticking in Florida.

The 1/15 card is pretty much up in the air, confirmed are:
Homicide vs. American Dragon (Tapout Match)
Austin Aries vs. Colt Cabana
Samoa Joe vs. Nigel Mcguinniss

On top of that we have: A Pitbulls defense, Punk, Corino, Shelley, Spanky, Strong, Evans, Special K hollywood, Special K wolfpack, Jay Lethal, Josh Daniels, Rave, Walters, and some usual suspects.

As matchmaker I'd choose....
Punk vs. Shelley vs. Corino vs. Spanky (For a shot in chicago)
Strong/Evans vs. Romero/Reyes (Tag title rematch from 11/5)
Jimmy Rave vs. Jay Lethal
Josh Daniels vs. Jimmy Jacobs
Special K Hollywood vs. SPecial K Wolfpack 6 person intergender tag (guilty pleasure)

That's 7 matches, I'm sure they can add some crap with the Carnage Crew and RCE to make 8, maybe a straight up tag. This card would be rockin'