ROH Best in the World
We’re LIVE at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, where the last show I reviewed, ECW One Night Stand 2006 took place. It’s the biggest crowd in ROH history, as Jim Cornette says in his introduction. Kevin Kelly and Dave Prazak introduce Cornette and he talks about the new ROH TV show. It’s a good show and a true alternative to WWE/TNA, but the production qualities aren’t HDNet esque in my opinion. Duh, but still. Cornette says this is the most watched live event in ROH history. Alright. Cool. He generally just hypes up the crowd, and says it’s a new era. He gets pretty worked up. Good little hype promo to start the show. And also, Jim Cornette’s YouShoot is fucking fantastic. You can download for free at Filestube or pick it up on DVD at the ROH website.
Also, let the record show that I think Kevin Kelly is the most annoying fuck on the planet. He is such a shill (normally a good thing) it pisses me off. I will always remember him as the douche that Rock called Hermie, and I won’t hear otherwise.
Colt Cabana vs. Tommasso Ciampa (w/ Prince Nana)
Don’t worry; I at least know enough about ROH to know who Colt Cabana is. He’s showered with streamers as he finishes his entrance. Ciampa comes out to moderate heat, accompanied by Embassy leader Prince Nana. I’m not too familiar with Nana or Ciampa, but I’ve heard good things about Nana as a manager.
Cabana brings the comedy as he winds up to shake Ciampa’s hand, but Ciampa moves his hand, so Todd Sinclair has his hand shaked instead. “Colt Cabana” chant as they tie up. Clean break. Another tie up into a wristlock from Ciampa. Cabana jumps around and breaks the lock and a back elbow. A comedy spot where Sinclair helps Cabana a bit, and it gets a chuckle from the crowd. Cabana grabs Ciampa’s leg after a legsweep and tries to work on the leg, but gets kicked into the ropes, but he stops just as he comes off, grabs the legs, and gets kicked. Cabana rolls up Ciampa with a goofy look on his face. Cabana tries to run the ropes, but steps on Prince Nana’s fingers. Ciampa hangs Cabana on the ropes, and kicks him in his prone position for the two count.
Front facelock suplex gets a one count, and another pin gets a one count. Forearm to the back by Ciampa is countered by a punch, and they go through the same sequence again. Ciampa puts Cabana in the corner with stops, and hits a pretty good looking running knee for a two count. Cabana gets his fingers stepped on. Ciampa kicks and punches him in the face. Ciampa runs Colt’s face off the top turnbuckle, and runs his body into the corner a couple times, then goes into a chinlock. Cabana rallies out and they exchange punches. Cabana tries a springboard moonsault to a standing Ciampa, but Ciampa knees him in the stomach as he comes down. Cool spot. Cabana heads to the corner, Ciampa charges and eats Cabana’s boot. Ciampa tries again and Cabana hits Snake Eyes. “Boom” punches by Cabana ends up with Ciampa on the ground. He grounds Ciampa with chops. Colt tries to run the ropes, but Ciampa goes right beside him, but Colt hits Ciampa in the face with his ass for a two count. I’d stay down after that…looked pretty damn lethal.
Ciampa reverses an Irish whip, whipping Colt into the corner. Colt tries to kick as Ciampa charges but Ciampa throws Colt’s legs through the ropes and hits a bridging German suplex for a two count. Roll up attempt by Ciampa is almost reversed into a Billy Goat’s Curse! Ciampa gets to the ropes. Irish whip by Cabana, but Ciampa kicks Cabana, sets him on the ropes, and hits a really sloppy powerbomb where Ciampa throws his opponent down to his knees. 1, 2, 3. Ciampa picks up the win in 7 minutes.
Analysis: *1/2 Bit of a nothing match, but Colt had some funny comedy earlier, but really, it’s the same Colt Cabana match you’ve been seeing for a while. His match with Delirious at the Fifth Festival Finale is fucking hysterical though. Not too impressed with Tammasso Ciampa, but after watching him on TV, I’ve lightened up a bit..
“The Prodigy” Mike Bennett vs. Jay Lethal
This is Jay’s first match back in Ring of Honor since his release from TNA. Jay has always been one of the wrestlers that I deem really underrated. I thought he was exciting, and his Macho Man gimmick cracked me up. What can I say, I’m easily amused. And I’ve seen some stuff against Low Ki in 2005, and I enjoyed it, so I figured Jay is welcome in ROH. Jay gets showered in streamers while a “Fuck TNA” chant goes on. I’m not usually that anal (Giggity) of a wrestling fan, but chants like this are a pet peeve of mine. It just proves us wrestling fans have opinions, I guess, but it still irks me a bit.
Lethal busts out the Hulk Hogan “I can’t hear you” pose. A Macho Man tribute is done as they lock up.. I think Kevin Kelly just did an imitation. Man, I already miss Macho and I wish he would drop an elbow right on Kevin Kelly’s fat hermaprohdite face. Clean break in the corner. They circle a bit and lock up again. Arm wringer by Bennett and they have a clean break in the corner. Another tie up into a headlock by Bennett. Bennett goes into the ropes and hits a shoulder block. Off the ropes again goes Bennett, and he’s taken down by a chop after a failed leapfrog by Bennett. Headlock by Lethal, followed by a shoulderblock. He stops before he’s leapfrogged and hits another chop. Knee to the gut by Bennett, reversed into an Irish whip by Lethal. He hits a hiptoss, he cartwheels, and kicks Mike in the face for a two count.
Lethal puts Bennett in the corner and hits a chop. Irish whip into the other corner. He charges and Bennett puts him into the apron. Lethal slinghshots into the ring and hits a hurricanrana. Lethal dropkicks Bennett out to the floor, and hit a plancha through the second rope to a big pop. They brawl a bit on the outside. Bennett gets back into the ring and kicks Lethal into the guardrail. Brutal Bob (Bennett’s trainer) sidewalk slams Lethal onto the ring apron behind the referee’s back. Bennett heads out to the apron and hits a running clothesline that turns Lethal over! Wow, Lethal sold that one beautifully. Bennett taunts the crowd to boos. Bennett heads into the ring, but comes back out to throw Lethal’s ass back in the ring for a nearfall.
Bennett hits a cornered Lethal, and hits him a couple times with punches. Lethal is on spaghetti legs. Lethal tries to mount a comeback, but Bennett foils it. Vertical suplex by the Prodigy gets a to count. Bennett starts working on Lethal’s injured back. Lethal works his way up, but ends up in the same position, with Bennett holding his arms back and putting his knee in Lethal’s back. Lethal works his way up with elbows the the gut. Bennett foils it again, hits an irish whip into the corner, but NOW Jay mounts the comeback with chops, and ends it with a handspring elbow. Second rope wheel kick for a two count by Lethal.
Lethal goes up top for the top rope elbow, but Bennett distracts the ref while Brutal Bob distracts Lethal. This allows Bennett to hit a superplex for a two count. This is a pretty good match for what it’s worth. Bennett goes up top looking for a top rope elbow, but he misses. Lethal hits a superkick, goes up top and hits a Lethal Injection for the 1, 2, 3 at 10 minutes. Lethal looked good in his return.
Analysis: **1/4 Not much except a return pad for Lethal. But for a prolonged squash match of sorts, you can’t go wrong with this one. I like Lethal, and he already won the TV Title on the TV show (BULLSHIT GENERICO RULES), so he has a bright future. But not if he’s feuding with Mike Bennett. He kind of sucks, you know. This was my first time ever seeing Bennett, and he generated heat quite well but the more and more I talk to ROH fans, the more I think it’s X-Pac heat.
Lethal celebrates, and the crowd cheers along. Nice little moment.
Barrio Street Fight: Homicide vs. Rhino
I am familiar with Rhino, from TNA, ECW, and WWE. I haven’t seen enough prolonged matches with him to really form a decent opinion, but from what I’ve seen, I enjoy him, and it’s always nice to hear someone yell GORE! Homicide is one of my favorites from ROH. He was apart of my favorite ROH moment at Final Battle 2006 when he finally won the ROH World Title. Prince Nana accompanies Rhino out to the ring after Homicide calls him out. I’ve heard good things about this match.
Right out of the gate, they just start brawling. Irish whip into a shoulderblock by Rhino. Another Irish whip to Homicide ends with Homicide giving him a headscissors, and Rhino goes out of the ring. Nice top con hilo by Homicide to a nice pop. That only gets a one count when they head to the ring. They brawl some more. Rhino whips Homicide into the ropes and hits a freefall drop. He soccer kicks Homicide in the gut, and that sends Homicide out of the ring. Rhino looks for a slingshot crossbody (!) but Homicide just steps out of the way.
Homicide rams Rhino’s head off the timekeeper’s table. Homicide tries to piledrive Rhino through the table (that’s RHINO’S MOVE!) but Rhino backdrops Homicide through the table. Rhino pulls out a ladder and puts it in the ring, and Homicide fights back. He mounts in the corner of the guardrail, and bites Rhino’s ear! Homicide chases Prince Nana, but Rhino catches him and rams him into the barricade, then knees him in the face. Rhino puts Homicide back in the ring, picks up the ladder, and starts hitting Homicide with it. A couple punches by Rhino, and he attempts a suplex onto the ladder, but Homicide reverses and suplexes Rhino on the ladder!
Homicide sets the ladder on the 1st turnbuckle. Rhino takes control again and basically ragdolls Homicide onto the ladder, and he hits it shoulder first. He press slams Homicide on the ladder! Ouch. That gets a nice little nearfall. Homicide tries to get away, but Rhino runs his head of the top turnbuckle, but Homicide blocks it and starts punching Rhino the throat. Irish whip is reversed by Rhino, but Homicide ends up running Rhino’s face into the second turnbuckle. Second rope shoulder tackle. Lariat by Homicide is blocked, and Rhino hits a piledriver for a nearfall. “Fuck you Rhino” chant as Rhino starts taunting them.
Rhino sets Homicide on the top rope. He looks for a superplex, but Homicide starts fighting back and sends Rhino to the floor. Homicide comes off the top, but Rhino counters with knees to the midsection. GORE!~! set up by Rhino, but Homicide reverses by kicking Rhino, and he hits a jumping cutter for a nearfall. Homicide goes under the ring and brings in a table. Rhino is back up and foils that attempt for Homicide. “We want fire” chant. Idiots. This is ROH, not CZW. Rhino sets the table up in the corner, but Homicide comes back with a throat thrust. Rhino comes back and hits a belly to belly suplex. Rhino sets up a Gore through the table, but Homicide reverses into a sunset bomb for the three count at 10 minutes! Prince Nana jumps Homicide after the match, but Homicide chucks him off. Rhino thrashes Homicide with a GORE!~! through the table after the match. Homicide has to be helped to the back. Way to put over the move.
Anaylsis: *** Really fun match here. It was hardcore, physical, and a fun match altogether. Rhino looked motivated here, and a motivated Rhino is really good for in ring action. Like I said, fun match. Also, I’m a huge Homicide mark.
They talk about Steve Corino, who used to be an asshole, but is recovering with help from another former evil person, his sponsor Jimmy Jacobs. Let me share a story about my small MySpace encounter with Steve Corino. Back in about 2007, I was on MySpace all the time. He was on MySpace IM all the time, so I decided to message the former ECW Champion and ask if it were him. He’s like, Yeah, Who else would I be. I’m like, I dunno. Then he said “So don’t ask stupid questions.” While that was a little rude, I’m sure a lot of people asked if he was the real Corino, so he might have gotten sick of it. But still, since then, I’ve held a small, stupid little personal grudge against him.
Steve Corino introduces himself as an evil person like he were in AA. He talks about how appreciative he is of the fans cheering him, and says there is someone who wants to not be evil anymore: Mr. Wrestling, Kevin Steen. See, Mr. Wrestling lost a match at Final Battle 2010 against former partner El Generico, so he was kicked out of ROH. So Jim Cornette, and a couple officials come out and try to send him back. HUGE “Mr. Wrestling” chant as Steen extends his hand for Cornette to shake. Jim shakes it and Steen embraces the fans and leaves.”Bullshit” chant. Jimmy Jacobs protests that.
Steve Corino vs. Michael Elgin
The match starts abruptly with Elgin slingshotting over the ropes onto Corino. Stomps to the head by Elgin. Elgin hits some stiff shots to a cornered Corino. A chop by Elgin, and that pisses Corino off, so they exchange forearms. Neckbreaker by Corino. Dropkick by Corino. He’s looking mighty chubby since I last saw him wrestle. Irish whip into the corner by Corino and he hits a running chop. Elgin pie faces Corino in response to some chops. Elgin runs Corino in the corner and hits some shoulder thrusts. Irish whip into another Corino, but Steve recovers and hits a nice looking back suplex. He has trouble knocking Elgin down, so he locks in an abdominal stretch, and a thumb in the ass. He sends Elgin out of the ring. Corino tries a top con hilo on Elgin, but Michael catches Steve in midair and runs him into the guardrail. Elgin leaves him outside as he recovers. We see and hear Truth Martini at ringside.
Corino climbs back in the ring. Slaps and kicks by Elgin. Corino hits a punch, but is run into the corner again by Elgin. Elgin charges but eats Corino’s boot a couple times. STO attempt is foiled, and Elgin hits a northern lights suplex for two. Elgin looks for a package piledriver, but Corino backdrops him. Some hilarious fan says “You don’t do the package piledrive, asshole” very audibly. That cracked me up. Elgin runs Corino’s shoulder into the post. Elgin locks in a boston crab in the ropes! Elgin charges Corino with two turnbuckle clotheslines, but Corino hits a rolling lariat! He’s gonna look for the Eternal Dream, but Truth Martini trips Corino. Jacobs chases Martini as Corino rolls Elgin up for two.
Elgin hits a TKO on a running Corino, and then hits a superkick. Elgin hits a suplex and almost covers, but instead hits a powerbomb for a nice nearfall. The crowd gets behind Corino. Michael Elgin hits a Buckle Bomb, and then a spiral sitdown powerbomb for the 1, 2, 3 at 8 minutes.
Analysis: **3/4 Good match here. The crowd was behind Corino, and I’m really liking the storyline of Steve trying to redeem himself. It has lead to an amazing storyline with Kevin Steen and anything involving that man has a thumbs up from me. Elgin looked pretty good here too on a first impression. I think he’s the best power wrestler in wrestling right now. Check out his matches with either of the American Wolves on TV if you don’t believe me. But, this match wasn’t all of the segment. It gets better.
POST MATCH: Elgin works over Jimmy Jacobs and Coirno. Elgin powerbombs Jimmy but KEVIN STEEN SHOWS UP AGAIN! Steen is all FUCK OFF ELGIN and gives him a flapjack bomb. Truth tries to intervene and hit Steen with the Book of Truth, but Steen’s all like NO YOU DIDN’T YOU HIPPIE BITCH and superkicks his ass. Officials are there to throw Steen out, but Corino grabs a mic and tries desperately to tell Cornette to let Kevin talk. Hell, he even starts up a chant. Cornette finally gives in, and Steen says he won’t take much time. A fan yells “Hurry up!”…”I will” says Kevin. Then, it just gets even better. “My name is Kevin Steen, and FUCK RING OF HONOR!” He gives Corino a package piledriver (THAT guy does the move…not Elgin, that asswipe) The officials intervene as Cornette is FUMING. The announcers sell it like it’s the ultimate betrayal. They sing El Generico’s song as Kevin Steen is physically taken out of the Hammerstein Ballroom. Wow, what a segment. Cornette swears on his mother’s grave that it’s the last time we ever see Kevin Steen. “We want Steen” chant. That segment was awesome. Just the whole package. This good storyline of the “sobriety” of Corino and Jacobs, and Steen’s supposed face turn. Then he totally goes the other way but still retaining an anti-hero aura. ROH is really starting to get interesting. This was just an awesome segment to segue into intermission. What a show this has been. Steen is your God, everyone.
Intermission: Video package featuring Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards. Great package here. We see a clip of Christopher Daniels turning on El Generico. Then we saw Truth Martini and Daniels cut a promo. Truth Martini makes me laugh. Christopher Daniels is a good promo. Video package of Jimmy Jacobs returning at Supercard of Honor. Emotional little moment. Clips of Homicide against the House of Truth. Promos hyping up some stuff, stuff from RD Evans, blah, blah blah.
ROH World Television Championship: Christopher Daniels © vs. El Generico
I love Christopher Daniels. He’s an awesome worker and cuts a good promo. I haven’t seen much of El Generico, but from what I’ve seen, he is fun as hell and his theme song is catchy. Apparently, he had Feud of the Year last year with Kevin Steen, his former tag partner. I didn’t watch any ROH last year due to no HDNet. Oh well. However, I saw hype videos and promos and I want to punch myself because that feud looked like it ruled. Oh well.
Daniels starts off with a cheap shot on Generico. Irish whip into a dropkick by the Fallen Angel. He rubs his foot in the face of El Generico. Daniels runs Generico’s face into the turnbuckle a couple times. The third time is foiled, and Generico hits some chops, and hits some flashy armdrags. They both head to the floor, where Generico hits some chops and whips Daniels into the guardrail. He hits another chop. Daniels counters with a knee to the gut and he breaks the count, whips Generico into the guardrail, but Generico jumps up to the top of the rail and hits a great moonsault! Ole chant. Generico runs Daniels into the post and they’re back in the ring.
Daniels pleads to Generico, but the Generic Luchador shakes Daniels’ hand and slaps him! Generico tries the ten punch into the corner, but Daniels rakes the eyes, and sends him off. He hits a great lariat. He mounts Generico (Giggity) for some punches. He runs his boot into Generico’s throat, he breaks that, and chokes Generico on the second rope, and busts out a Flair strut! Another stupid “Fuck TNA” chant. You know, I don’t like TNA, but those chants are stupid. Sorry. Generico takes advantage with some punches, but the Fallen Angel hits a drop toehold to Generico into the second rope. He hits a rope hung stunner and fakes a 450 splash and just runs his knee into the throat. Daniels chucks Generico out of the ring. Generico comes back in and hits a sunset flip for a two count. Punches by Generico. Daniels grabs a headlock and runs himself and Generico into the ropes and locks in a headscissors. He finally breaks it with a kick.
Two count for Daniels, then a chinlock. Generico tries to counter, but Daniels just throws him down for a two count. Kneeling cobra clutch by Daniels as the crowd tries to rally him. Generico gets up and punches out, but is slammed down by Daniels. Arabian press by Daniels for a two count. Chops in the corner by Daniels. Generico hits a forearm, and Daniels retaliates with a slap. Daniels attempts to whip Generico into the corner, but Generico comes back with clotheslines, chucks Daniels out of the ring, and hits an awesome Senton Plancha!
Generico throws Daniels back into the ring and Generico goes up top. Flying crossbody for a nearfall! Quite the good match here. Spinout powerbomb by Generico for another nearfall. Generico attempts a half nelson suplex, but Daniels counters, hits a reverse STO, and locks in a Koji clutch! The crowd in the Hammerstein Ballroom tries to rally behind Generico, and the Luchador gets to the ropes. Daniels hits an enzuigiri. Angel’s Wings attempt by Daniels, but Generico counters, then Daniels hits the Last Rites for a nearfall. Generico is back up, and Daniels punches him. They exchange punches, until Daniels hits a series of headbutts. Generico then attempts the BRAINBUSTAAA, but Daniels counters and runs Generico into the corner. Daniels goes to the corner across to do something, but Generico hits the Yakuza kick and the BRAINBUSTAAA!! One, two, thr—NO!! Generico puts Daniels up top, hangs him in the Tree of Woe, goes to the next corner, and hits a SENTON COAST TO COAST! One, two, thr—Daniels gets the ropes.
BRAINBUSTAA attempt on the ring apron, but Daniels pushes Generico off the apron and he takes out a photographer! Daniels suplexes Generico on the floor, and grabs the belt. Daniels tells Todd Sinclair to count Generico out. The crowd doesn’t like that. The crowd sings Ole by The Bouncing Souls. That’s a fun song. Generico finally gets back in the ring. Daniels is pissed. Daniels is wearing the belt right now. Chop by Generico, but Daniels hits a side slam. Daniels attempts a BME, but Generico gets a boot up. Generico runs Daniels to the turnbuckle, and hits an AWESOME top rope BRAINBUSTAAA for the three count at 20 minutes and he’s the new TV champ. Awesome match.
Analysis: **** Excellent match. Generico showed me that he is a wonderful seller/bumper, and that he can really get some sympathy. Daniels played an old school heel in this one, doing a lot of 80’s style cheating and heat garnering. That’s not a bad thing, because it’s good to see some old school stuff like that every once in a while. There were some really nice spots in this match, particularly the fucking crazy Coast to Coast, and the cool looking BRAINBUSTAAA on the top turnbuckle. Match of the night so far, but considering the next two matches, that may change.
ROH World Tag Team Titles: Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team © vs. The Kings of Wrestling vs. The All Night Express vs. The Briscoes
Of course, as a lifelong WWE fan, I’ve heard of WGTT a million times. I’m familiar with Hero and Castagnoli since they were two of the first wrestlers I saw in ROH, and I’ve grown to be a big fan of Claudio. Not very familiar with ANX, but after seeing a bit of their Ladder War with the Briscoes and watching them on the TV show, I’m a fan. I’m especially impressed with Kenny King. I’ve heard of the Briscoes, of course. The first full match I ever saw was between The Briscoes and The Motor City Machine Guns. That’s a five star match for me. I have high expectations for this match.
A “Man up!” chant for the Briscoes before the match starts. The Kings are huddled on the outside with Sara Del Rey and Shane Hagadorn. This match is elimination rules, so I’m expecting a LONG match. Bell rings with Titus and Haas starting off. Charlie exits the ring and picks up a kid to applause. Cool? They start with a tie up after circling forever. Flapjack by Haas, he floats over into a front facelock with a Gator roll. Arm wringer is thwarted with a forearm from Titus, but he’s thwarted himself with a leg kick from Haas. Haas starts working Rhett’s leg, but Titus counters into an abdominal stretch, but Charlie hiptosses himself free. A couple leapfrogs later and Rhett slingshots onto Haas’ knee from the outside. Titus tags King.
Crowd likes King too, apparently, but Kenny wants Benjamin. Shelton is tagged in and they circle a bit. Really slow paced to start. Yep, it’ll be a long one. Giggity. This Is Wrestling chant…sure. When they’re circling. They tie up and break while Kenny jumps around. They tie up amd Shelton locks in a headlock. King sends Shelton off the ropes and hits a shoulder block, and after an Irish whip, he hits a nice dropkick. They stand off again and tie up. Side headlock from Benjamin, but King breaks and locks in a headlock of his own. Takeover from King after an attempted reversal from Benjamin. Off the ropes goes King, he dodges a Dragon whip, Benjamin dodges a cartwheel kick. King dodges a german suplex, but Benjamin comes off with a botched crossbody for a two count. Tag into Charlie Haas, and Shelton bodyslams King onto Haas’s knee.
Irish whip by Haas. King puts on the brakes and cheapshots Mark Briscoe. Claudio Castagnoli gets blind tag, teases a Big Swing, but instead drops an elbow. He teases a European uppercut but instead locks in a headlock to the chagrin of the Hammerstein Ballroom crowd. King finally gets out, but Claudio tags in Chris Hero and they hit a double big boot. Cover from Hero gets one.
STIFF chop from Hero, but King fires back, gets whipped into the ropes and cheapshots the Briscoes once more. King tags in Rhett Titus. King hits a monkey flip and Titus nails a nice dropkick for two on Hero. Chops and forearms from Titus as he tags in King once more. Manhattan Drop and a lariat for a two count from ANX. King tags Titus right back in, and Rhett hits a boot to the gut. Forearm gets two for Titus. Arm wringer now. Titus starts working on the shoulder slowly and works his way into a headlock. Claudio tags in and taunts and hits an atomic legdrop for two. Chinlock from Castagnoli now.
Crowd tries to rally Titus up, but Castagnoli keeps on. Claudio works on the injured ear in a good piece of psychology. Claudio sends Rhett into the Briscoe’s corner and they whoop his muthafuckin’ ASS. A big schmozz in the ring now. Charlie flies out to the group on the floor, Titus somersaults out, and Mark Briscoe corkscrews off the turnbuckle! Chris Hero boots Kenny King to shit inside the ring. Chris Hero clears the top rope with a moonsault onto the rest of the tag teams! Kenny King looks to fly, but Claudio Castagnoli stops it, and attempts a Ricola bomb, but Shelton Benjamin comes in and suplexes them off! Briscoes jump Benjamin and give him an ass whoopin’. Jay is in the ring with Shelton now with fists. Tag in to Mark, and he hits a diving fist drop for two. Mark is wailing on Shelton, and hits a headbutt in the corner. Tags to Jay once more, and he hits a good dropkick. Cover on Benjamin gets a nearfall.
Chinlock from Jay to Shelton. Benjamin tries to rally out but he isn’t successful as Jay cheapshots him. Blind tag from Chris Hero. Hero tags in Castagnoli and split Shelton in half. Another tag in to Hero and they split him once more. They do it again. And not in the good way. Armbar now from Claudio. Crowd tries to rally Shelton up and he gets back up and tries to punch out but Mark Briscoe tags in, and hits a suplex on Benjamin. Benjamin fires back again, and gets a tag to Charlie. Suplexes for all! Titus comes in and hits a Fameasser on Mark. Jay comes in, tries to slingshot in, but Titus hits a Northern Lights Suplex! Titus is up after a suplex from Jay, but Jay just fucks his shit up with a clubbing shot. Double team in the corner from the Briscoes. That gets a two count. It’s basically a brawl between ANX and the Briscoes right now. Action’s getting too fast for me to call. Double team neckbreaker on Kenny King, and the Briscoes start beating on Titus. Falcon Arrow from Jay, but it only gets two!
Jay Driller attempt is broken up by King, who hits a sick Enziguri! Jay kicks King, but King comes back with a sick Elijah Express! Mark comes in and is hit with a backbreaker by King, and Titus comes down with a knee! One, two, three. BRISCOES ARE GONE AT 24 MINUTES! “Nah, nah, nah, hey, hey, hey, goodbye” from the crowd. They did good in their time in this match.
Titus wants Castagnoli to come in, and he shoves him to the floor. Claudio comes in slowly. Hero tries a sneak attack and ANX double teams KOW. Chris Hero cheapshots Shelton Benjamin. Benjamin comes in and they double team Benjamin. One, two, no. Forearm from Titus, and they slug it out. Titus dodges a dropkick from Benjamin and Hero tags in, and gets a two count of a senton. Double team axe handle from KOW. Camel Clutch from Claudio now. Shelton tries to get out and gets Claudio up in an electric chair, and he drops him! Claudio grabs Benjamin’s foot to prevent a tag to Haas as Chris Hero is tagged in. He goes to work on Shelton Benjamin.
Haas comes in and tries to act all TOUGH GUY, but couldn’t do anything. Cover from Hero gets two. Tag in to Castagnoli, and they hit a double irish whip into the corner for a two count. European uppercut from Castagnoli, and he tags in Hero. Benjamin foils a double team, but Claudio grabs him back. Dragon Whip from Shelton, who ALMOST tags Charlie Haas in, but in a good little spot, Chris Hero pulls Haas down right before the tag. Castagnoli tags in Hero once more, but Benjamin foils a double team and tags in Kenny King!
King cleans house with an elbow, and hits a sick STO, an elbow, and a nice moonsault for two. Claudio comes in and King hits a spinebuster! King hits a capture suplex on Hero! Only two. WHAT A MANEUVER. Sorry, it had to be in there somewhere. *clears throat* Triple kick from ANX, but they only get a nearfall. Hero comes back and hits a Roaring Elbow for a good nearfall. He tags Castagnoli in and they hit a double team slam for another two count. Ricola Bomb attempt from Castagnoli, but Titus gets down and hits a running kick, and ANX hits a double neckbreaker. Hero in with the loaded elbow pad! ROARING ELBOW! One, two, three! ANX IS OUT AT 31 MINUTES. Tough break, kids. Better luck next time.
Hero tries to pin Haas as Kenny King drags Titus’s dead ass body out of the ring. Stomps in the KOW corner from Castagnoli. They take turns stomping on Haas until Castagnoli does a few wrestling moves. Haas comes back and hits a german suplex on Hero. HOT TAG to Shelton! Samoan Drop. Stinger Splash, and then a diving bulldog. Claudio breaks up the pin, but Shelton hits a double DDT! Cover on Hero gets a two count. Tag in to Haas. They hit the Broken Arrow on Chris Hero! Angle slam by Charlie Haas, but Castagnoli breaks the pin up at two! Haas and Hero are in the ring. Haas irish whips Hero, but Hero knees him to pieces! Tag in to Castagnoli who gets a nearfall on the pin attempt!
Claudio puts Haas up on his shoulder and does a no handed Airplane Spin. The pin is broken up by Benjamin. Big swing into a kick from KOW! One, two, NO! KOW looks for KRS-One, but Haas headscissors Claudio out of the ring. Double spinebuster from Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team. One, two, three? Fuck that. Really crappy finish. I guess it sells the exhaustion, but it wasn’t crisply executed and it looked like they lightly dropped Hero if anything. Quite anticlimactic, but oh well. Haas and Benjamin win the match and retain their titles at the 40 minute mark.
Post match, The Briscoes attack WGTT with chairs relentlessly, which spawned their upcoming match at Final Battle. They really beat that tag team ass with those chairs. Dem Boys sum bad mofuckaz, so to speak. ANX cleans house, then the paramedics help WGTT. Good little segment.
Analysis: ***3/4 Very good match here. It started off WAY too slow, but I guess that’s okay if you wanna have a 40 minute match, but all the first ten minutes did was allow time for headlocks and Claudio Castagnoli to work the crowd. It got really awesome down the stretch, from a bit before the Briscoes were eliminated until ANX was eliminated, but after that, it got slow again. They did work well, and there was only one botch that was noticeable. However, the crappy finish bumped this match from the four star range. I’m all for storytelling, but you gotta go out with a bang. A double spinebuster (which was almost botched) isn’t the way to do it. Enjoyable match at any rate.
Video package for the American Wolves faceoff. Heard awesome things about this match. You’ll get to see my all knowing opinion on it firsthand. You’re intrigued.
ROH World Title: Eddie Edwards © vs. Davey Richards
Davey Richards kicks ass. That is all. I absolutely adore his match with Tyler Black at last year’s Death Before Dishonor. Haven’t seen too much of Eddie Edwards unfortunately, but from what I’ve seen on the TV show, he’s really good. The crowd is bit against him in this one, but after the small amount of boos, a huge amount of streamers are thrown. I like that about ROH. Gives it a real cool Japan feel.
They shake hands and do a run-of-the-mill scientific wrestling exchange. Your basic headlocks, waistlocks, and arm wringers. They look for finishers, but both are foiled as they circle once more. Knuckle lock is won by Davey but he gets back up. Davey powers Eddie back, but Eddie gets back up. Hammerlock now by Richards, countered with a snapmare from Edwards. They trade forearms and strikes and kicks. MURDERDEATHKILL kick from Davey Richards. That was stiff as fuck man. That dude kicks like crazy. Snap suplex from Richards for one count. Texas cloverleaf with an armlock now by Richards. Edwardsd makes it to the ropes shortly after.
Stomps in the corner from Richards, who whips Edwards in the other corner. Edwards gets a roll up for two, and a facebuster for two. Chop by Edwards drops Davey to his back. Gutwrench suplex gets a two count for Eddie Edwards. Kimura lock into a kneeling abdominal stretch from Eddie. Davey gets to the ropes and Eddie breaks at four. Chop in the corner from Edwards, but Davey comes back with forearms and is quickly dropped with a boot to the face for two. Headbutt from Eddie sends Davey into the other corner. Chops in the corner from Edwards now. He’s working over Davey slowly. He boots Davey in the face, but Davey backdrops Eddie over the top rope. Eddie gets up, and Davey hits the MURDERDEATHKILL kick from the apron! Damn that was sick. PLANCHA FROM DAVEY! He hit that one wonderfully.
Davey throws Eddie back in the ring and climbs the ropes and hits a missile dropkick. Davey runs into Eddie’s boot, but kicks him the chest for a two count. Eddie kicks a turnbuckle bound Davey, looks for a Backpack Stunner, but Edwards puts in a cross armbreaker, then a Fujiwara armbar. Northern Lights Suplex gets two, then Davey transitions into a hammerlock. Kicks to a cornered Edwards knock him down. These are STIFF kicks. Davey puts Eddie on the top rope and nails another kick. Edwards tries to fight it off with a front facelock. They trade headbutts! Davey’s like NO YOU DIDN’T BITCH and kicks him right in the face. Davey goes back up and hits a superplex, stays with the hold, and hits a Falcon Arrow into a cross armbreaker! Eddie reverses into an Achilles lock! Cross armbreaker from Davey again. Roll up from Davey gets two. Awesome exchange there. The crowd loves it too.
A couple more kicks from Davey drop Eddie to his knees. Eddie reverses an Irish whip and catches Davey off the rebound with a facebuster! Double knees in the corner from Edwards. Eddie avoids an Alarm Clock, and hits a Fisherman’s Brainbuster! That gets a good little nearfall. Stiff chops in the corner from Edwards. Second rope Codebreaker from Edwards, but he runs into a slick cross armbreaker again. Eddie just gets pissed and stomps Davey’s face, but Davey locks in another cross armbreaker! Stomps to the face from Edwards once more! Davey tries to head out of the ring, but Edwards kicks him right in the back. That sends Richards out quickly and Eddie hits a SICK moonsault to the outside, hurting his leg in the process. Davey has a pretty sick gash on his back too. Not a gash really, but it’s still noticeable. Back in the ring, Eddie hits a nice missile dropkick and favors his knee some more.
They get up at the same time and Eddie hits a Tiger Suplex with a bridge. AWESOME selling with him only bridging with his good leg. Davey sandbags a suplex from Edwards and they exchange stiff forearms, and they’re both teetering. Davey goes apeshit on Edwards, but eats a nice running knee to the face. Eddie is selling that leg masterfully. It may be legit hurt though. Out on the ring apron, Eddie hits a superkick and HITS A 2K1 BOMB ON THE RING FRAME! Holy shit, Davey’s back must be annihilated. Davey’s crawling away, and is more mobile right now than Edwards, but Eddie heads back into the ring at 14. Davey tries to get back in, but Eddie superkicks him again, and HITS A DOUBLE STOMP THROUGH THE TIMEKEEPER’S TABLE!!! Wow. Eddie heads back into the ring at 8. Davey is just a carcass, but he eventually makes it back in as well.
Eddie goes up top and hits a double stomp to the back of Davey’s head! That got a good nearfall. Davey lays to the side of the ring to try and rest, and he starts coming back with kicks. He has a Dragon Screw hold in the ropes! DO IT says Eddie Edwards!! He does it! Double stomp from the top by Edwards! Wow, what a fucking match. Ankle lock by Davey Richards. Eddie gets to the ropes and kicks Davey right in his temple, and he drops like a ton of bricks. “This is Awesome” chant, and I agree valiantly. Davey sets Eddie up top, looking for a back suplex off the top. He is sent down but comes right back up. He’s knocked down once more, but he comes right back up with forearms to the back. He massacres Eddie with headbutts! Edwards folds up, and Davey HITS A SICK GERMAN SUPERPLEX OFF THE TOP! Sick spinning kicks, and a bridging German for two! Ankle lock from Richards! Edwards counters into one of his own! He grapevines it! He’s in the center of ring, but Davey TURNS IT OVER INTO ONE OF HIS OWN! My God, I’m losing my breath!
Eddie eventually gets to the ropes, and that buys Davey some time. They both go out the apron. Davey tries for a piledriver or a powerbomb, but Eddie sandbags to prevent it. Eddie gets out, but Davey hits a couple kicks, but Eddie moves and Davey STIFFS THE RINGPOST! Man, that looked nasty. Davey gets up limping and they both get into the ring at 9. They’re on opposite sides of the turnbuckle now, and Davey starts hitting more headbutts. Eddie hyperextends Richards’ knee, but Davey stays on the top rope. Eddie goes up top, but Davey fights out with forearms. Davey looks for a Superbomb, but EDDIE HITS A FRANKENSTEINER! Lariat, powerbomb for two! Another lariat for two. 2K1 bomb in the ring for two, and he locks in the Achilles lock. They’re in the center of the ring too. Jesus Balls, what an awesome, awesome match.
Davey tries to kick himself free, but Eddie stomps his face in and locks in a Texas Cloverleaf. Davey tries to get out, but Edwards gets a nearfall in the process. They’re both laid out in the center of the ring, selling exhaustion. I doubt it’s selling, though. Eddie gets up at a six count, but eats a Saito Suplex! Eddie hits one of his own! Both are on their knees at 9 and they stare each other down. They exchange more stiff forearms! “Boo” for Edwards, “Yeah!” for Davey. They’re rapidly exchanging stiffs and chops! Eddie is turned inside out with a lariat for a good nearfall. They’re up again and Eddie gets up with FIGHTING SPIRIT after a sick Roaring Elbow. Stiff as Hell kick combo gets TWO! MORE STIFF KICKS! ONE, TWO, THR—NO! “You will always be my brother” says Davey to Eddie, who hits a spin kick, then hits the MURDERDEATHKILL KICK!~! ONE, TWO, THREE! Davey wins an amazing match at 36 minutes.
Post match, Davey cuts a very emotional, heartwarming speech about the ROH fans, Eddie Edwards, and other people in the ring about being the only family he has after his grandmother and grandfather died. One of the best post match speeches I’ve ever heard because of the obvious emotion in it. Davey is the best wrestler in ROH. I can guarantee ya that people. He put on one hell of a match here.
Analysis: ***** Screw it. This match deserves the full monty. The emotion surrounding this match, the killer submission work and the body psychology make this a five star match. Eddie Edwards’ selling (or actual pain) of his leg is something to behold in this match. My favorite part was Eddie only bridging the Tiger Suplex with one leg. The people who say there isn’t any story in this match are idiots. This match has a character story, a physical story, and a culmination of a long journey for Davey Richards, who overcame huge adversity to get where he is in ROH. This is my Match of the Year, beating out Punk-Cena at Money in the Bank. It’s an epic match, with emotion engulfing it and the action was only the icing on the already exquisite cake.
Overall Show Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Best Match: Davey Richards vs. Eddie Edwards (36:01) *****
Worst Match: Tommasso Ciampa vs. Colt Cabana (7:24) *1/2
Final Analysis: As a new ROH fan, I was BLOWN AWAY by this show. Nothing bad happened here, even if Ciampa-Cabana was a bit lackluster. It had Generico winning his first singles title in the second best match of the night. I’m STILL pissed they hotshotted the title to Lethal, who isn’t really as deserving as the Generic Luchador. The 4 way tag was really fun, but the finish wasn’t very good and the first 15 minutes were nothing but headlocks and taunting. The real reasons to watch this show are the return of Kevin Steen and his subsequent “heel” turn and the main event of Richards-Edwards II, which epitomizes an emotional journey of a match. Steen shot off the best storyline of the year in Ring of Honor and made the TV show must-see television a few weeks before the upcoming Final Battle iPPV tonight. As for the main event, it was 36 minutes of awesome, and this is my only second time seeing it. Add Davey finally winning the World Title after overcoming adversity, and you’ve got your new face of the company. This isn’t quite the show of the year, because I enjoyed Money in the Bank a little more as a whole, but Best in the World 2011 is a really close second place. Highest recommendation possible.
I’ll be back next with an eventual review of Death Before Dishonor IX (including Eddie Edwards vs. Roderick Strong in a Ringmaster’s Challenge match and Ladder War III) and after that I will eventually review Final Battle 2011. As with my last column, any constructive criticism (or slathering hate mail) is welcome and I’d appreciate it if you left your thoughts. I’m almost up to 8,000 words on this review, but the show was worth it.
Thanks,
JSP
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