McXal's Reviews

After a Thursday night show in Edinburgh, Ring Of Honor now rolls into the weekend on English soil with another big card pitting the company's best against the best from the UK. The final stages of the International Cup are at the forefront of that with Jimmy Havoc, Mark Haskins, Flip Gordon and Adam Page the final four; competing in semi-finals and a final tonight with a World Title shot up for grabs. But we'll also see the return to ROH after more than a decade for two hugely influential, pioneering ambassadors for British wrestling in the early 00's - Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm are back and join forces to face the Briscoes. Jay Lethal and Jonathan Gresham team up for the first time to face the Young Bucks, Delirious will enter the TV Title Proving Ground with Punishment Martinez plus more Women Of Honor action with Kay Lee Ray. Ian Riccaboni and BJ Whitmer are on commentary in Doncaster, UK.

Like the Briscoes, the returning Fleisch and Storm debuted in ROH all the way back in 2002. They faced each other at Road To The Title in the opening round of the tournament to crown the first ever ROH Champion meaning their in-ring debuts came before even Mark Briscoe. Storm would only appear sporadically, but for the next year or so Jody would appear on a semi-regular basis as part of the Special K stable. As I said in my show intro, they are and were pioneers; hugely influential, globe-trotting ambassadors for the British wrestling scene at a time when wrestlers out of the UK just didn't do that. Now as their careers wind down (Fleisch was in his late-30's by this point, Jonny in his early-40's) they are joining forces and look to use this ROH UK tour as a chance to see if they still 'have it' against some of the finest teams in the industry today. Tomorrow in London it is the Young Bucks. Tonight they face the Briscoes, the 9-time ROH Tag Champions. The Briscoes would consider the loss a humiliation, whilst The Phoenix and the Wonderkid know it could set up a fairytale 'last run'...

The Briscoes get annoyed by the Doncaster fans, allowing the UK team to jump them from behind. Storm hits a double springboard flying headcissors and a big crossbody on Mark...but is swiftly shut down with an emphatic powerslam by Jay. They quickly isolate Jonny too; choking him in the ropes whilst Fleisch remonstrates with the referee. Unseen by Mark, Storm nips up into a sliding enzi. Sadly for his team Jay attacks Jody almost before he gets the tag. Mark starts dumping The Phoenix into the railings then sets him up for a big mafia kick on the floor by his brother. Ian and BJ mention it a lot - but Jody really is in incredible shape. The Briscoes work hard to keep him on the ground where his athleticism and willingness to take to the air can be negated. EFFORTLESS moonsault press misses by Fleisch...but he pops up again and hits a reverse rana instead! Storm tags and lands a big moonsault, then the ROPE RUN super Japanese armdrag for 2! He then GERMAN SUPERPLEXES HIS OWN PARTNER into a flying moonsault on Mark! Jay pulls his brother out of the ring...so Jonny lumbers on top of them with a tope con hilo. He backs that up with another tope, this time into a double DDT on the floor. That looked a little tame but before you can dwell upon it too much Jody is on the ropes for a SPRINGBOARD SHOOTING STAR TO THE FLOOR! The Briscoes think about a super Redneck Boogie only for Fleisch to run at them and try to super rana Jonny into a senton...except he trips on the ropes and Storm somewhat flops down onto the ground looking a little confused, which is a shame. Jay smears him into the barricades as punishment. Phoenix DDT COUNTERED with a running lariat! Redneck Boogie on Storm, then the Day One Neckbreaker on Jody. Froggy Bow gets 2! Fleisch victory rolls under the Doomsday Device. JAY DRILLER INSTEAD! Mark has Storm in the Choke at the same time. The Briscoes win at 13:14

Rating - *** - To be honest, this was pretty much as authentic a Jody/Jonny viewing experience as I can remember back when they were at the peak of their powers. They always did throw everything they had into every match, they were always susceptible to a botch or two, but you usually had a good time in their matches. I was a little worried this was going to play out like that Briscoes vs Besties In The World match at Masters Of The Craft where Jay and Mark got to completely squash their opponents. Thankfully this got more time, and the second half saw the Briscoes lose control and allow Team UK to throw high spots around like confetti. Fleish is in amazing shape genuinely looks like he still has some gas in the tank. This is the second show in a row where ROH have given the opening match a little more time - and I really like it.

This is the first of two International Cup semi-final bouts. Haskins stole the show (not for the first time) in Edinburgh, emerging victorious in a technical clinic against Jon Gresham. Flip makes the second round via a competitive win over Kip Sabian. Both men are immensely talented and would pose a real threat to Lethal and the World Title should they manage to win the tournament tonight. Will it be the grit, tenacity and wrestling skill of the Englishman, or Flip's athleticism and big match experience (in ROH) which win out?

Both men unsuccessfully throw strikes from the bell, before Gordon somersaults out of a suplex attempt, goes into a handstand, lifts his arm to stop Haskins kicking it...then drops him with a headscissors! That wasn't quite Red vs Low Ki but it was definitely a really fun opening sequence! Haskins doesn't take it lying down and kicks Flip to the floor so he can run through him with a tope suicida. Back in the ring he stomps Flip's arm into the canvas and hits a snap arm wrench as well. Gordon has struggled with shoulder problems in the past and now has to contend with Mark brutally attacking his arm in an attempt to set up the Star Armbar. Even when Gordon tries to roll him up Haskins simply counters to a Crossface. Flip makes the ropes and realises he needs to distance himself from the Englishman so kicks him away and hits the air with a springboard missile dropkick. Mark is able to block the falcon arrow because of Gordon's bad arm but can't prevent the Springboard Spear. Kinder Surprise misses...as does a quebrada. Haskins instead rolls Gordon into the Sharpshooter. Cradle To Grave COUNTERED by flipping into a Superkick! NO SOLD! One-legged standing moonsault misses...STAR ARMBAR! Gordon escapes and uses his good arm to chop at Haskins like a crazy man. PELE KICK! Falcon Arrow gets 2, presumably because the weakened arm makes it easier for Haskins to kick out. It breaks down with the two men absolutely battering each other with forearms. KINDER SURPRISE! SOMERSAULT PLANCHA! 450 SPLASH NAILED! But Haskins kicks out! STAR ARMBAR AGAIN! Gordon counters to a crucifix pin for 2! Pele misses. CRADLE TO THE GRAVE! Haskins heads to the finals at 11:17

Rating - **** - It is starting to become clear why ROH signed Haskins full-time before the end of the year. He is churning out bangers on every single ROH UK event now - and this was no different. It was modern, athletic, dramatic, easy to watch - basically everything you want in an ROH undercard match. Haskins worked the arm and Flip did a decent job selling it but actually the real story was one of ambition and desire. Both men wanted that ROH Title shot so badly, so were willing to put their bodies through hell by countering everything and relentlessly upping the sakes. These are the kind of athletes ROH should be building their brand around...

And this would be the second International Cup semi-final, with the winner progressing to meet Mark Haskins in the main event with the World Title shot on the line. Havoc made his ROH debut in Edinburgh and seemed thoroughly bewildered by the 'honourable' rules. His opponent Christopher Daniels tried desperately to avoid a hardcore bout...yet somehow ended up with the webbing on his fingers split open via an 8x10 papercut, then lost via a staplegun to the chest. Jimmy will need to be on his game this evening though. He can withstand pain and likes going hardcore - but Page is up for a fight too (and is himself in training for a no rules bout with Joey Janela at All In). Question marks remain over Page's physical condition however, given that he came into this UK tour directly on the back of the gruelling G-1 Climax tournament in Japan...

Havoc starts the match respectfully enough and looks to trade holds with Page. He only enjoys limited success with that though, thanks in no small part to the strength advantage Hangman enjoys. He does back the Bullet Club member into the ropes though...and celebrates by swearing at his opponent then poking him in the eyes. He looks for a crossbody off the apron...only for Page to catch him, crunch him against the guardrail then launch him head-first into the ringpost as well. He peppers Jimmy with big chops before inevitably smacking his own hand and arm against the ringpost. Havoc grabs a mouthful of a front row fan's beer...only to get punched in the face and spit the beverage into the referee's face. However, thinking on his feet, he uses the opportunity to pull out an 8x10 and give Page papercuts to his fingers and mouth! Hangman retaliates by booting the middle rope into Havoc's balls then punching his lights out on the canvas. Deadlift pumphandle suplex gets 2 only for Jimmy to hit a big DDT seconds later. Page throws Havoc off the top rope - and the camera crew catch Jimmy ferreting around under the ring for something. Water is inadvertently sprayed into the eyes of the ref...allowing him to STAPLEGUN PAGE'S HAND (and his ass). Then Havoc starts stapling himself before throwing the weapon to Page like a smoking gun looking for a DQ win. No dice on that, and more bad luck moments later when Page blocks the Acid Rainmaker. Buckshot Lariat COUNTERED to the Acid Rainmaker for 2! Double stomp misses, causing the ref to get knocked down again. Page stapleguns Havoc and hammers him with the RITE OF PASSAGE. Page wins at 12:19

Rating - *** - I liked this match, but it highlights a lot of the problems ROH would face if they tried to book Jimmy Havoc regularly. Gabe wrestled with the same issue booking Necro Butcher back in 2007 with the introduction of Age Of The Fall and Havoc is nowhere near Necro's level. I liked that this match felt physical and violent. It came off like two dudes who were willing to do whatever it takes to secure the title shot and I dug that. But some of the dumb and contrived set-ups they used to sideline the ref so Havoc could get his hardcore spots in were terrible. At least when they did it in the Havoc/Daniels match yesterday it was acknowledged as outright comedy. The right man won. It's interesting to see Havoc interact with the ROH roster but he doesn't feel like a long-term fit for the promotion in the way someone like Mark Haskins does.

We saw KLR make her Women Of Honor debut in Edinburgh, losing to her great friend, partner and rival Viper in a spirited contest. She works all three nights of this tour (apparently taking the bookings at relatively short notice due to injuries to previously scheduled talents) and will want to bounce back with a win this evening. Her opponent is young Australian, Charli Evans. Despite her age she travels extensively and has worked for SHIMMER, EVE, Bellatrix, RISE, Progress, Rev Pro, PWA and more. She is one of many trainees of the great Madison Eagles...

Like Viper a couple of nights earlier, Evans looks to use her power to keep Kay Lee grounded and immobile...and like Viper struggles due to the tenacity and technical skill shown by Ray. KLR teases a handshake before actually punching Evans in the jaw...but Charli blocks the Gory Bomb and batters her to the ground with a kick flurry. Sliding rana gets 2 as Ray drops to her knees...before Kay Lee hits back with a gourdbuster. Charli is a tough cookie and starts goading Kay Lee into a strike exchange! They absolutely tee off on each other with chops, then Evans no sells a KLR superkick to deck her with a charging lariat. Elbows and a superkick by Ray...which Evans absorbs and hits a close-range knee strike. Capture DDT gets 2 for the Aussie. KLR comes back with a sliding flatliner into the Koji Clutch. Evans escapes and DUMPS her with a Saito suplex. Roundhouse kick COUNTERED to the Gory Bomb! Kay Lee wins at 08:14

Rating - *** - KLR vs Viper had a better finishing stretch, but as a total package I thought this was a better match than Edinburgh. Both women fought tooth and nail, giving the match a genuine air of physicality and fighting spirit which the crowd really brought into. Some of Evans' striking in particular was a lot of fun, whilst Kay Lee is SUCH a good underdog babyface worker. I could have lived with this going longer; a statement which would be appropriate to a great many ROH women's matches in 2018...

The mysterious, enigmatic Delirious didn't work the show in Scotland, but slithers back from the Edge Of Sanity this evening to enter the Proving Ground with TV Champion Punishment Martinez. The Punisher will know how effective the Proving Ground can be, given that he became the first man ever to win a title from an 'Instant Reward' Proving Ground match at State Of The Art 2018. He won't even be contemplating defeat this evening; it would be a monumental upset.

Delirious freaks out like usual...but channels his ring bell rampage into a flurry of early dropkicks which knock Martinez around the ring. Punisher tries to goozle him only for Delirious to start trying to eat his hand! Leaping Lariats are no sold, so Delirious knocks Punishment to the outside instead. APRON CHOKESLAM NAILED! Is the Lizard Man dead?! He lies motionless on the floor of the Doncaster Dome for a full nineteen seconds before finally shuffling back inside right before he is counted out. He gets in one last slap at the dominant TV Champion and is punished with the TURNBUCKLE Curb Stomp. South Of Heaven wins it for Martinez at 04:02

Rating - N/A - This entertained me. As I always say, Delirious was a fantastic worker and even though he only wrestles part-time these days he is still a pretty intuitive performer. In four minutes he effortlessly straddled the line blurred between comedy character and lovable, feisty underdog. Martinez is a massively under-rated wrestler - especially his ability to believably sell for his opponents yet still retain an air of dominance. That was very much on display here as Delirious dominated the first three minutes...before Punisher crushed him in two moves for an emphatic victory. It breaks up the card and strengthens Punishment's position as fearsome Television Champion as ROH lines up his next batch of challengers...

The Edinburgh show felt like the start of ROH trying to rebuild The Villain after multiple failed World Title shots. Unlike his three opponents tonight, he wasn't entered into the International Cup and is, therefore, further back in the queue to receive a title shot from Lethal. As someone who has come out of the UK scene and made in ROH, Marty will be both an inspiration and a target to be shot at by Hendry and Sabian. 

Scurll gets by far the biggest ovation of the night thus far. Nobody leaves the ring so apparently this is under tornado rules. Kip calls Daniels an 'old-timer' and leaves the ring, so the Fallen Angel dives at him with a tope suicida. Daniels, Scurll and Hendry work an inspired three-man counter/pinfall sequence then break to hit a camel clutch/double dropkick combo on Sabian when he re-enters. Scurll and Daniels convince Joe they want to do the same spot again; a veteran scheme so they can blast him with dropkicks as well. They turn on each other next - poking each other in the eyes and stumbling around blindly until Kip lays them both out. Kotaro Crusher by Sabian! He blocks Hendry's Freak Of Nature but doesn't see a neckbreaker coming moments later. DOUBLE FREAK OF NATURE from Hendry to Scurll and Sabian. Hendry Lock on Daniels! He retaliates with a running STO before grabbing Kip as well; urinage slamming Sabian down on top of Joe. Sabian blocks Angel's Wings and feeds Daniels into Marty's apron Superkick. Brainbuster from Scurll to Hendry gets 2. He puts Kip in the Gory Special whilst simultaneously applying a Boston Crab on Daniels! The SCU member escapes it though - and goes straight into an Arabian Press to the floor. GHOSTBUSTER! That is followed by the Bird Of Prey, allowing Marty to pin Kip at 09:23

Rating - ** - Marty won pretty convincingly so the rebuild job on him continues. To me the real story from this somewhat average match was Joe Hendry's performance. He was fantastic here; charismatic and entertaining like always - but actually more striking for his power and ability to grapple and throw his opponents around. 

There isn't a great deal of (current) plot behind this one; it's just a dream match which pits the World Champion, paired up with one of his closest rivals, against the reigning IWGP Tag Champions. Of course Lethal's history with the Bucks runs deep, including a wrecked PPV main event at Global Wars 2016 and the part they played in helping Adam Cole shave his head as well. The relationship between Lethal and Gresham should be interesting. At the time of broadcast they had already shared two closely-fought matches in 2018, both of which were won by Lethal. They come into this on the back of the TV taping in Atlanta, where they taped the third match in the series - a 30-minute Iron Man Match. Given that Jay still has the belt around his waist clearly he was successful. How will Gresh cope with partnering someone who has beaten him in three separate high profile matches? 

Lethal is all smiles and lets Gresham start for their team after Matt cracks a few jokes about his height. They work the mat with real intensity; Gresham the aggressor but Jackson proving himself a competent adversary. Matt commemorates the occasion with a hearty handshake...which of course sets up a blindside Superkick from Nick. Wheelbarrow cutter combo drops him on his face as the Bucks look for combo moves to negate the individual strengths of their opponents. Lethal gets a tag and flies in at incredible speed, darting from inside the ring to out and back in again before hitting a hiptoss/dropkick. Nick tries to leapfrog the champ...but doesn't see Gresham blind-tag and sneak in for a CAPTURE GERMAN SUPLEX out of mid-air! The Octopus gets annoyed at 'heavyweight' Nick trying to bully him with big forearms and refusals to run the ropes with him...so he tries his best to break his leg instead. Quickly he and Jay open up a serious injury on that body part. It renders Nick unable to moonsault off the apron like he normally does - instead nursing the leg until Lethal chop-blocks him from the apron to the floor. DEATHLOCK ON THE FLOOR! Nick crawls away and peppers Gresham with more heavyweight striking before finally getting a much-needed tag to his brother. Worst Case Scenario gets 2 on the World Champion. Gresh tags and lands a Stunner...only for Matt to counter an attempted flying headscissors into a Buckle Bomb, followed by a Spear. SUPERKICK ON THE FLOOR takes Lethal out! Sharpshooter on Gresham until Jay slides back in to break it. Nick gives him a PK and tries to shake feeling back into his leg. LEG SELLING ELEVATED SWANTON BOMB gets 2. The Octopus gets time to recover because of how injured Nick is though. He lands a missile dropkick then a quebrada. Lethal blind-tags on the way and drills Jackson with the Lethal Combination INTO THE FIGURE 4! Nick tries to roll it over...450 SPLASH BY GRESHAM FOR 2! Lethal Combination COUNTERED to the Rock Bottom by Matt! He and Gresham go strike for strike beating the absolute sh*t out of each other! Lethal Injection ducked into a SUPERKICK! Despite Nick's leg they think about the Meltzer...but his leg gives out and he falls to the ground! LETHAL INJECTION! The World Champion pins Nick to win the match at 18:03

Rating - **** - Match of the weekend so far. Great for all the reasons you'd expect, and also because it signals that Ring Of Honor are now, belatedly, going to start using the popularity of the Young Bucks to get other members of the roster over. The runaway success of All In only fuelled rumours that the Bucks would be leaving at the end of their contract - even though Joe Koff publically continued to state they were being made competitive offers and in negotiations. They remain hot property and the biggest draws in the promotion, but the time has come that ROH need to use that to benefit others. They put the Briscoes over at Best In The World to legitimise Jay and Mark as the top team. Now they produce a fantastic performance to put over not only the World Champion - but also one of the fastest rising stars in the company in Jon Gresham. Nick's selling of the leg was fantastic. The emotional core of the match was centred around how Gresh and Lethal were able to use their singles skills to open up that injury - completely negating the advantages the more experienced tag team had over them. The story was well-paced and dramatic, the action was more hard-hitting and smart than it was spot-heavy (making it a great change of pace for a Young Bucks match) and it built to a clean finish - which Riccaboni and Whitmer put over as an upset. I can't speak highly enough of this one. All four workers looked great.

The winner here gets the coveted World Title shot against Jay Lethal tomorrow in London. It has been a gruelling two nights of competition to get to this stage. Haskins has come through intense, physical encounters with Jonathan Gresham and Flip Gordon to book his place here. Hangman's main issue has been combating fatigue and jetlag on account of him coming into this tour immediately off the G-1 Climax Tournament in New Japan. He looked weary in his victory over Joe Hendry in Edinburgh, but stronger tonight as he saw off the unpredictable Jimmy Havoc. Many have him pegged as a future World Champion and, after years in ROH, how he'd love to finally make that final ascent into the main event picture with victory here...

Page uses his power and size to control the early lock-ups, although grappling with a British athlete is never without risk and Haskins capably takes the fight back to him on the canvas. Page misses a jumping senton and exits the ring in frustration when Mark blasts him with a dropkick. He comes back with authority and dumps Haskins over the top rope. Hangman is more comfortable brawling on the floor and has the upper hand as he pummels his foe with big strikes, interspersed with blasts into the guardrails. SSP off the apron MISSES...Haskins catches himself in the ropes when Page tries to evade a tope...then he tope suicidas through the adjacent set of ropes instead! YAKUZA KICK against the guardrails knocks Page loopy. Page's back is bothering him and relentless shots to the head from his opponent don't help either. JUMPING DVD out of nowhere dumps Haskins on his head. He goes back to bullying and intimidation; stalking Haskins around the ring and dominating him with strikes and throws. The Englishman shows his toughness not only by not backing down...but by egging Page on to hit him harder! It culminates with each man laying out the other with simultaneous Sick Kicks. Red Star Press misses...STAR ARMBAR! But since he hasn't worked the arm Page is easily able to escape! Cradle To The Grave blocked so instead Mark punts him in the head and dives off the top rope into a double stomp for 2. He tries to roll through into the rack bomb...only for Page to elbow him in the head and land a devastating German suplex. Page looks to grotesquely increase the stakes by trying a superplex to the floor! Haskins counters by shoving him onto the apron. SUPERKICK ON THE APRON! Haskins collapses to the floor. TOP ROPE HANGMAN-SAULT TO THE FLOOR! Page goes back to the top. MOONSAULT INTO THE RING gets 2! Buckshot COUNTERED to a triangle choke! Page muscles him to his feet and kicks him in the head. FOLDING POWERBOMB gets 2! This is a f*cking war! Knee strikes by Haskins, into the rolling Death Valley Bomb. Page still blocks the Cradle, so instead Haskins rolls him into the Sharpshooter - punishing the midsection that Page has suffered with for most of the bout. CRADLE TOMBSTONE GETS 2! Haskins will not die! The crowd is split right down the middle and is making a hell of an atmosphere. Page once again bullies Haskins - flicking disrespectful kicks at him in the ropes and talking trash. Rite Of Passage blocked...Cradle To The Grave blocked. CANADIAN DESTROYER! CRADLE TO THE GRAVE! HASKINS WINS! The International Cup is his at 24:02

Rating - ****1/2 - Given that he is being given every opportunity to shine this weekend, and given that Riccaboni and Whitmer were talking about him being ready to come to the US to 'represent ROH', I suspect there was an inkling by this stage that Haskins would be signing full-time. That makes this match, his performance, and the generosity of Hangman Page absolutely critical. As per comments about the Bucks vs Lethal/Gresham bout - with rumours swirling about their impending departure, ROH simply must use what time they have left with The Elite to create some new stars. If he hadn't already impressed with the quality of his work on recent shows - Page just made Haskins in ROH. The match itself wasn't necessarily about pretty wrestling; it was about control and exerting your dominance over a rival. Mark came in fired up and determined to snatch the opportunity. Page wanted to crush and bully the spirit right out of him. It became a violently escalating game of cat and mouse; Page continually trying something new to steamroll his opponent, but continually finding Haskins able to step up and deal with it every time. It meant a man who started the match trash talking, spitting and shoving Haskins around ended it trying lunatic moonsaults to the floor...and still wound up on the losing side. I loved all of this - and have it as one of my favourite matches of ROH's 2018. It's brilliant as a standalone experience, but in the context of trying to elevate and set-up a new star for Ring Of Honor it really is a brilliant piece of work - given plenty of time to breathe and all the better for it. 

Tape Rating - *** - Both of these Honor Re-United Tour shows thus far have been great. Lots of clean finishes, lots of fired up talents busting their asses, unpredictable results, an obvious effort to build new stars, a clear strategy for using The Elite through the rest of 2018 and high profile matches given better time allocations. If nothing else, the two main events from this show really are worth checking out. Bucks vs Lethal/Gresham is one of ROH's best 2-vs-2 tags of the year...and is immediately topped by Page/Haskins pulling out a storming, sneak-MOTYC in the International Cup final. It would have been an easy, 'safe' choice to have Hangman win this tournament, appease the BTE fans and put on Lethal/Page as the main event in London. It would have been a HELL of a match and part of me is sad it didn't go down that way. But ROH failed to sh*t rather than get off the pot with Page a LONG time ago. He is entrenched into the BTE crew now and was firmly rumoured to be headed for the exit door by the end of the year. Going with Haskins was brave, a little surprising, probably unpopular in the short term - but was clearly a decision made with the long-term in mind. And that kind of booking bravery USED to be what ROH was all about...

3) Mark Haskins vs Flip Gordon (****)

2) Jay Lethal/Jonathan Gresham vs Young Bucks (****)

1) Mark Haskins vs Adam Page (****1/2)