Ring Of Honor – The Best Of ROH on HDNet – Volume 1
Under the terms of the deal with HDNet, ROH doesn’t actually take possession of footage shot for the TV show (and therefore become able to distribute it via DVD) until 12 months after the initial airdate of the show. Opting against releasing full episodes, instead they went for a series of ‘Best Ofs’. Being totally honest, I have picked up full sets of ROH on HDNet through slightly nefarious means that both Ring Of Honor and HDNet wouldn’t approve of. I’m also going to be honest and say that I don’t feel overly guilty about that as, when it was removed from Youtube, as a UK resident, it effectively meant I was unable to follow ROH – a product I have loyally supported and spent probably thousands of dollars following since 2002. That said, I want to continue to support ROH, and as such, I’m avoiding any guilt at going through back channels to get copies of the TV show by also investing in these Best Of sets. I’m not going to lie to you – I probably won’t be watching them in full since I’m watching the shows – so I have no idea if there are any cuts/amendments or new content. But I’ll collate all my match reviews here so people can evaluate whether or not they want to purchase these DVD’s. In truth, they’re only $15 release price so they’re already great value and well worth a shot.
Jimmy Jacobs vs Tyler Black (Episode 001)
Main event of Episode 001 is right here. As we saw in the video package, Jacobs was furious with Tyler when he refused to throw in the towel at Rising Above, forcing Jimmy to say ‘I Quit’ to Austin Aries. That lead to Final Battle 2008 when, realising that Tyler was fighting for selfish reasons rather than for the good of the Age Of The Fall, he unceremoniously kicked him out of the group. This is the first time since then that Tyler has had the chance to fight him in singles action.
‘Jimmy Jacobs: Violent and Evil’ – that is Jimmy’s graphic as he enters the ring. That seems mean. Apparently Hog loves the fact that he’s ‘never seen Tyler quit’. Given that I imagine this match is the first time he’s ever seen him, I’m not surprised. Tyler drives Jacobs out of the ring where Jimmy has a mini tantrum and starts throwing chairs. Slingshot into a rolling heel kick from Black, followed by a stomp to the throat for 2. Jacobs manages to turn Tyler into a headscissors to the turnbuckles, and thanks to the HDNet camera crew it looks like Black is being catapulted into your living room. Black heads upstairs but gets THROWN TO THE FLOOR before he can set himself for the Phoenix Splash. CACTUS ELBOW by Jacobs. Dropkick to the base of the neck gets 2, but more importantly does some damage ahead of a potential Contra Code or End Time finish. Double stomp trampoline next as the crowd falls into a hushed silence with Black really struggling. Impressive press slam from Tyler, and he hits his big springboard clothesline for a nearfall. Lionsault feint into the BLACK STAR PRESS gets 2 as well. Phoenix Splash misses and Jacobs hits the Spear. Pele Kick knocks him away but Jimmy tosses him out of the ring and scores with a RUNNING PLANCHA THROUGH A CHAIR! He goes for the Senton Bomb but flies into Tyler’s knees. God’s Last Gift COUNTERED TO END TIME! Tyler throws Jacobs away once, but misses the Superkick and gets locked in the hold for a second time. Black bridges out of it to pin Jacobs for the win at 13:50
Rating - *** - For this feud to be a success they’ll need to have better matches than that, but given the circumstances this was really decent. Under double amounts of pressure to deliver a strong TV main event AND progress their feud without giving anything too spectacular ahead of other bouts down the line, they weren’t given an easy task. But this was a brisk introduction of what you can expect to see from a Ring Of Honor main event. Good wrestling, lots of intensity and purpose, some really fun countering and hopefully a more rewarding viewing experience that you’ll see on any of their rival pro-wrestling television shows.
Austin Aries vs Bryan Danielson (Episode 003)
Personally, this is the match I’d have used to headline the debut show. These two have been rivals ever since 2004 when Aries smashed through the glass ceiling with his superb showing in the finals of the inaugural Survival Of The Fittest tournament. Since then they’ve competed in a 75 minute, 2/3 Falls Match, defended the World Title against each other during their reigns, contested a Best Of 3 Series and most recently spent much of 2008 teaming. Now they bring their long-term rivalry to HDNet…
The crowd is so vocal in their support of American Dragon that Aries almost walks out before the bell even rings. The start is hugely cagey as the familiar foes enter into a lengthy feeling out process. Armdrags from A-Double, only for Danielson to hit back with a dropkick which sends his opponent tumbling backwards into the ropes. Keen to avoid the speed of Aries or the strikes of Danielson, they go back to the canvas to trade holds again. Mexican Surfboard blocked by Aries, and he rolls into basement dropkick straight into the face of American Dragon. Danielson goes for a cross armbreaker in response and forces Aries into the ropes. But A-Double has his opponent scouted, and as Dragon turns to tell the ref he ‘has till 5’, Austin levels him with a cheap shot. He drives knee into the neck then locks in the Vulcan Neck Pinch. SHINBREAK BACK SUPLEX TO THE FLOOR! HEAT SEEKING MISSILE RIGHT AT DRAGON’S FACE! Fish-hook Crossface locked in as he does more damage to Danielson’s neck. But the IED misses and allows Danielson to batter Aries with elbows and uppercuts. Sayama flip into the running elbow smash to the head…and back to the cross armbreaker. Aries finds the ropes and attacks the neck again to block the back superplex. FLYING KNEE STRIKE OFF THE APRON BY DANIELSON! Back inside to deliver another running knee strike but can’t put him away as Aries is familiar enough with the Cattle Mutilation to roll through and block it. ROARING ELBOW DUEL! Aries lands on his feet out of a German and hits the KICK OF DEATH! Impact Explosion Dropkick nailed for a close 2 but Dragon blocks the Brainbuster. LAST CHANCERY INSTEAD! COUNTERED TO THE TRIANGLE CHOKE! Aries taps at 14:29
Rating - **** - This was actually far less ‘watered down’ for the new TV audience than I thought it would be. Most of the HDNet matches thus far have been nothing more than guys hitting their trademark moves and looking to get their big spots over. These two were actually allowed to go out there and demonstrate their familiarity as opponents and got to work a proper ‘ROH match’ rather than go out and work an exhibition of the different moves they do. And that’s why it was in a different class to anything else we’ve seen on HDNet thus far. Of course it wasn’t up there with the SOTF final, or the Testing The Limit epic, or the Nowhere To Run title fight, or the Final Battle 2007 four way conclusion. But it was hard fought, extremely high quality and a terrific example of why these two have been fighting at the very top of Ring Of Honor for years. They are two guys largely responsible for getting ROH to this level, so getting to see them out there working each other was terrific.
Kenny Omega vs Austin Aries (Episode 004)
After tapping out in the main event last week, Aries will be desperate to score an immediate rebound victory against Kenny Omega, who makes his first HDNet appearance tonight. Omega is crazily charismatic and full of talent and needs to be on as many TV episodes as possible.
Fans immediately start chanting ‘you tapped out’ at Aries after his defeat to American Dragon last week. The former World Champion cockily paws at the back of Omega’s head then engages in more verbal with the Philadelphia audience. Quick offence brings Kenny back into the match, before his own whacky interactions (and poses) with the fans piss Aries off even more. But the series of flips and tumbles across the ring count for nothing as A-Double sweeps his attempt at a hurricanrana aside. SHOTEI instead lifts Austin over the ropes to the floor. Omega looks for a springboard moonsault to the floor and winds up getting pulled off the ropes and knee’d in the side of the face. Neck Pinch locked in, followed by an STO into the Power Drive Elbow for 2. Knees to the neck next but it’s too early for the Brainbuster and Kenny counters with an enziguri. Omegan Hammers then the leapfrog bulldog for 2. He sends Austin out of the ring…SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT TO THE FLOOR! He looks for the Electric Chair Suplex only for Aries to grab a rope to block it. He rakes the eyes and throws Omega into the ringpost. BRUTAL IED NAILED! KICK OF DEATH! BRAINBUSTER! Extremely violent finishing combo wins the match for Aries at 11:26
Rating - *** - Awesome opening match, with Aries getting an impressive win without squashing what was a successful HDNet debut for Kenny Omega, who ALWAYS delivers when ROH manages to get him booked. That Impact Explosion Dropkick has to be seen to be believed by the way. It looked like Aries absolutely KILLED him with it…
Tyler Black vs Bryan Danielson (Episode 006)
Main event comes early this week which suggests it might get a decent time allowance. A major part of the reason Tyler became such a breakout singles star in 2008 was his amazing series of matches with Bryan Danielson. At Breakout, Southern Navigation and New Horizons they tore the house down with classic matches (the Breakout and New Horizons bouts were two of my favourites of ’08). It’s a wise move to try to capture that magic once again in 2009 with Danielson on the way out and ROH keen to push Tyler onto the HDNet audience as the face of the future. Both men are undefeated on HDNet having won main event bouts on Episodes 1 and 3 respectively.
Danielson goes for an early monkey flip, but turns around in surprise as Black athletically cartwheels to land on his feet. Next Danielson tries to pin him to the canvas and work the legs to negate that athleticism, but finds Black up to that challenge as he counters out to a hold of his own. Body slam from Tyler but it doesn’t do enough damage to keep Dragon down for the Stomp. They front up again, Danielson confidently beckoning Tyler towards another lock up with him, only to belt him with an uppercut in the corner. Unhappy with that arrogance, Tyler delivers a cheap shoulder block to the rips then backflips into a hurricanrana to give himself an advantage. This time he scores with the big Stomp and gets 2. And that aggression from Black is responded to in kind with absolutely vicious European uppercuts by Danielson, then the Mexican surfboard. INTO A DRAGON SLEEPER! Tyler doesn’t tap but is in real trouble now, unable to get off the mat before the former World Champion is all over him again. At the 10 minute mark he’d be losing significantly if it got decided on points and has been rendered totally defenceless by the onslaught of big strikes from the American Dragon. Black flees the ring, only for Bryan to fly at him again with a TOPE SUICIDAAAA! Nasty spill into the guardrail for both guys on that spot. Danielson scales the ropes going for his usual missile dropkick spot, but it’s something Black has seen plenty of times before and he meets it with a mid-air dropkick of his own. It’s Dragon to the outside this time…RUNNING SOMERSAULT PLANCHA by Tyler. God’s Last Gift blocked at this stage…Black goes for the Pele Kick but it’s COUNTERED IN MID-AIR to an Anklelock! Tyler tries to flip out and land on his feet out of a German suplex attempt, but doubles over clutching that bad ankle. Superkick attempted…TURNED TO THE ANKLELOCK AGAIN! LEG CAPTURE GERMAN SUPLEX GETS 2! Back superplex attempted, but this time it’s Black’s turn to counter in mid-flight and rolls into a crossbody to leave both men down. Roaring Elbow by Danielson, only for Tyler to absorb it, kick him in the head and deliver Peroxism for 2. 60 seconds left in the time limit. PHOENIX SPLASH MISSES! TRIANGLE CHOKE LOCKED IN! Can Black hold on? Or better…IT’S COUNTERED TO THE BUCKLE BOMB! 20:00 TIME LIMIT EXPIRES!
Rating - **** - The best match on HDNet thus far by a sizeable distance. This was the first time I’ve felt that any Ring Of Honor fan who don’t have access to the TV show have actually missed on something special, since this was a corker. Once again this was all about Tyler trying to prove he belonged on Bryan Danielson’s level and, just like all their great matches in 2008, they struck gold with that formula again. It ticked all the right boxes to establish both of them as real players on HDNet, with Danielson presented as this iconic ROH figure who is literally so good it’s an honour just to wrestle him…and therefore by doing so well against him, duly elevating Tyler too. There were even subtle nods to their classics last year with lots of familiarity counters – and for long term viewers of ROH, it adds credence to the ‘next World Champ’ tag Tyler has been given as he now progresses from LOSING to American Dragon to getting a time limit draw. I knocked points off for bringing Black’s ankle injury into things so well, then no-selling it in the last minute for Tyler to try the Phoenix Splash then having Danielson go for the Triangle Choke rather than another leg submission, but that’s a minor quibble. The first set of tapings ended with a real bang thanks to these two guys
Austin Aries vs Roderick Strong (Episode 007)
These two last met in singles competition at Steel City Clash when Aries downed Strong, but their history stretches back far further than that. Both debuted in 2000, both debuted in ROH at Do Or Die 2, they were part of the legendary Generation Next faction together. They played a key part in elevating the ROH Tag Titles to the prestigious status they are now with their amazing run with those belts in 2006. But their partnership ended when Roddy turned on Aries to form the No Remorse Corps. Oddly, the boot now seems to be on the other foot with Strong now craving the respect of his former friend, since A-Double’s change in attitude now means he respects and cares for very little other than himself. He made it clear earlier tonight he wants to restake his claim to be at the very top of the mountain in ROH, looking to re-capture the World Title he last held over four years ago. With Ric Flair watching, he’ll need to prove he can be ‘the man’ and overcome his former partner once again this evening. It’s Strong’s debut match on HDNet so a big moment for him.
The opening portion of the match is hugely cagey, probably due to the familiarity between the two men. Austin leg drops Strong’s arm, and delivers a couple of armdrags. Grounded headscissors from Strong, and unbelievably, despite having seen it a thousand times, he STILL falls victim to the escape dropkick. Aries dives to the outside as Strong looks to land a chop, immediately making him look way smarter than Roddy. He runs around the ring celebrating the smartness, eventually running into a big tackle off the apron. But even on the floor and whilst being driven back-first to the railing, Aries continues to evade the chop. DOUBLE AXEHANDLE TO THE FLOOR and a running knee to the side of the head put A-Double in charge. Power Drive Elbow nailed as the former World Champion continues to dominate. But at last Strong does manage to land some big chops, sold EXPERTLY by Aries who takes some flying back bumps to put over their impact. Strong hits a back suplex backbreaker for a nearfall but is dumped to the floor and HAMMERED with the Heat Seeking Missile. Urinage Backbreaker (‘bodybreaker’ – Hog) gets another 2 for Roderick. Sick Kick is ducked, straight into knee strikes then the Last Chancery. Impact Explosio Dropkick COUNTERED TO THE DEATH BY RODERICK! SICK KICK! STRONGHOLD! Aries fights it and manages to get Roderick hung in the ropes to deliver a big dropkick. Brainbuster attempted, but it’s turned BACK to the Stronghold and drives an increasingly desperate A-Starr to the ropes again. Gibson Driver countered with a rana. He tries to put the Stronghold on Roderick but doesn’t get it locked in. KICK OF DEATH instead. INTO THE BRAINBUSTER! Aries picks up a big win at 15:13
Rating - *** - Much more physically intense and competitive than their recent match in Pittsburgh, where they played it very safe. Here they didn’t stray too far from their regular movesets but they pulled off everything with a great deal of conviction and largely carried themselves as main event level players. I’d criticise this for making Roderick look like a bit of a chump whilst Aries got to look like a superstar…but since he looks like he’s now being primed for a main event run given his interactions with Flair and Lynn earlier in the evening, it probably makes sense to make A-Double look good. I thought the last few minutes of finisher trading oozed quality and certainly kept everyone entertained. They have better matches in them and may well get to showcase that somewhere down the line. But as this was here to make Aries look good – mission accomplished.
Tyler Black vs Bryan Danielson (Episode 008)
This is a rematch from Episode 006, when these two men fought to a 20-minute draw in what is universally considered to be the best HDNet match thus far. Added spice tonight comes in the form of the #1 Contendership to the ROH World Championship.
Jerry Lynn is watching this one in the locker room. Having contested so many fierce battles in the past, it’s understandable that both are tentative in the opening minutes. It’s slow going, with lots of tense and hard-fought jostling for superiority in every hold. It’s Danielson who seems more comfortable there, but when the pace quickens it’s the athletic Tyler who is able to take American Dragon down. Black gets 2 with his face stomp. Danielson uses a basic dropkick to keep him at bay before slowing it right back down again to the pace he’s comfortable at. Mexican surfboard is blocked so Bryan stomps the backs of his knees instead. Within 2 minutes Danielson has done enough damage to Tyler’s leg that he’s limping around the ring with success in this match looking like it’s fading away. He gets sent to the floor…then stays out there playing possum as he suckers Danielson into a missed pescado. RUNNING SOMERSAULT PLANCHA BY BLACK! Back inside he snaps off a neckbreaker then the springboard clothesline for 2. Lionsault misses…FEINT TO THE BLACK STAR PRESS for 2. Sayama flip from Dragon at great speed, before rolling Black into the Lance Storm Half Crab. Tyler finds a rope so gets blasted with a running knee strike for 2. He goes for the Half Crab again, only to be countered to Tyler’s own version of the Mr Small Package for 2. They bust out a rolling cradle to make the point that they’re so even. Roaring Elbow from Danielson…Pele Kick from Black…both men go down! Tyler lands the F-5 but finds the Buckle Bomb countered to the Triangle Choke. In a nice tip of the hat to previous matches, Danielson neatly evades the counter to the Buckle Bomb which has worked before. RUNNING BUCKLE BOMB OUT OF THE CORNER! SUPERKICK! But Bryan is so close to the ropes he’s basically in them as Black tries to cover. 20 minutes now gone (tonight’s time limit is ‘TV time remaining’) as Black climbs looking for the Phoenix Splash…AND GETS SHOVED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR! SPRINGBOARD SUICIDE DIVE INTO THE CROWD BY DANIELSON! Both scramble to the ring to beat the count…and just as Tyler looks to be lunging into the ring at 19, Dragon grabs his boot and pulls him back. It’s a double count-out at 21:40
Rating - **** - Although the non-finish was more irksome this time around, it was undeniably well executed. I loved the tease on Black FINALLY beating Danielson, only for Dragon to pull him back at the last second. It’s a terrific and simple way of putting Black over whilst still giving Danielson an ‘out’ and building for an inevitable third and deciding bout. This was much slower than almost anything they’ve done together previously, but it worked. The slow going early on was absolutely perfect so soon after their memorable first clash, and it did a fine job of re-establishing the basic principles of Danielson as the dominating mat technician whilst Black has all the athleticism, speed and courage. The scary part is, having seen their matches during 2008, you know that, even as they moved through the gears in the second half of the match, they were keeping SO much back in the tank for a future rematch. Danielson/Black III, when it happens, is sure to be one to watch.
Kenny King/Rhett Titus vs Kevin Steen/El Generico (Episode 009)
We saw Davey Richards debut on HDNet last week, completing the American Wolves for the first time on TV. They delivered a resounding victory and immediately proclaimed it a message for the champions Steen and Generico. Can Mr Wrestling and the Generic Luchador fire back with a message of their own at the expense of the All Night Express tonight? Sidenote, this is non-title, contrary to what the DVD casing suggests.
Armdrags by Generico, then the Hispanic mounted punches on a stunned Rhettski. Steen joins him to flatten Titus with the double backpack senton for 2. More tandem action from the champions when King tags in, with Generico taking Kenny down into the path of Steen’s standing somersault leg drop. Finally the referee is distracted for long enough for Titus to land a cheap shot on Generico. King capitalises seconds later with the rope hurdling guillotine. Blindside clothesline combo gets the ANX a 2-count. Double springboard crossbody from Generico to Titus, allowing him to get the hot tag to Kevin Steen. King saves his partner from the Sharpshooter but eats the Yakuza Kick from El Generico. STEEN-TON BOMB! King kicks out at 2! Cradle Piledriver blocked by King…and he cuts off the Yakuza Kick with an AWESOME spinning heel kick. JUMPING ENZI! CORONATION! SPLASH by Titus but Steen breaks the fall. King is dropped on his head with a DDT, followed by a cannonball senton. SOMERSAULT VAN TERMINATOR BY GENERICO! PACKAGE PILEDRIVER! BRAINBUSTER! The champs pick up a win at 09:14
Rating - *** - These two teams have really strong chemistry together it seems. They had an underrated match on DVD earlier in the year, and this was basically a condensed, TV version of that one. Steen and Generico looked great as a team, King continued to look like a strong prospect and Titus still shone as the comedy sleazeball. Exciting main event to cap off a strong episode of Ring Of Honor television.
Kenny King vs Kenny Omega vs Jay Briscoe (Episode 010)
This one has lots of potential. Last week we saw Jay impressively dispose of Sami Callihan as he continues to build a singles niche for himself whilst Mark is injured. King was also impressive last week, albeit in defeat (along with Rhett Titus) to the Tag Team Champions, whilst Omega has had some terrific matches on HDNet thus far without managing to score a victory. All three have something to prove and will want to climb the ranks with a win here.
‘It’s no fun unless there’s sportsmanship’ – Omega demanding handshakes all round. He gets thrown straight to the floor for that attitude, but he runs back in…then sprints straight to the floor with a RUNNING SOMERSAULT SENTON! Briscoe waits for him to get back to his feet before levelling him with a sliding kick from the apron. SINGLE LEAP CORKSCREW SENTON OFF THE APRON by King! Jay ends up on the floor clutching his knee in discomfort after that. Leapfrog Bulldog from Omega to Briscoe gets 2. King levels Jay moments later with a capoeira kick and gets his own nearfall. DOUBLE crossbody out of the corner by Omega…into a DOUBLE HURRICANRANA! But he lines up another running dive to the floor and is viciously cut off with a clothesline from Briscoe. KING WITH A SPRINGBOARD BLOCKBUSTER/DDT COMBO! Jay’s eye has been busted open somewhere in all of this. Somersault into a TOP ROPE LUNGBLOCKER from Omega to King…and Jay nearly steals the pinfall whilst Omega recovers. Briscoe to the top rope now but King levels him with a standing enzi kick to the side of the head. Coronation countered by Omega…TO A JACKNIFE PIN! OMEGA WINS! He gets his first HDNet win at 09:30
Rating - *** - I’ve seen some surprisingly high ratings for this match. Not that it’s not a blast, but some people REALLY liked it. I thought it was decent, I loved the non-stop action, and I loved how they really increased the pace as the match wore on. It suffered a little from classic triple threat syndrome with one guy standing around whilst others work, but to open an episode you couldn’t have asked for much more. Great to see Omega getting a win…
Kevin Steen/El Generico vs American Wolves – ROH Tag Title Tables Are Legal Match (Episode 011)
Since the start of the HDNet series, it’s been pretty clear that the American Wolves and the World Tag Champions don’t like each other. From the first appearances with Kevin Steen defeating Eddie Edwards and wanting revenge for the Wolves injuring Generico’s knee and causing him to miss the first TV tapings, it’s been clear that there’s an intense hatred between the two. The Wolves first started singling out the champions at Final Battle 2008, and the situation has escalated rapidly, and the wild No DQ Match at the 7th Anniversary Show should show you how far these two teams are willing to take it. In purely HDNet terms, we saw the Wolves appear as a unit on HDNet for the first time in recent weeks, and interrupted a victorious Steen and Generico after a main event success to put El Generico through a table. Last week the champs took revenge by putting the Wolves’ manager Shane Hagadorn through a table…and ROH officials (including ROH Ambassador Ric Flair apparently) reacted quickly to book this clash to resolve things between the four.
The fight starts in the aisle as the defending champions make their entrance. Steen starts biting at Davey’s face then runs around the ring to save Generico as Edwards starts to tear at his mask. Into the ring for the first time now so the bell actually rings at last, and Steen drops the somersault leg drop across the back of Richards’ head. Backpack Double Senton from the champions crushed Edwards before Kevin leaves the ring to pull out the first table. He sets it up in the corner…as Generico hits an exploder on Eddie into the opposite turnbuckles. Richards flies in and dropkicks Steen’s bad wheel. DOUBLE ALARM CLOCK ON GENERICO! SUPERKICK GERMAN SUPLEX THROUGH THE TABLE! Generico took such a rough landing on it the table barely broke. Still, Davey uses that to his advantage by grabbing Steen for a SHINBREAKER THROUGH THE TABLE! AWESOME strategy right there. With Steen down, Richards teases a Figure 4, but with Flair now on board the fans get a little too excited, so he decide against it. Another table is brought into play, but before the Wolves can use it they’re both taken down by a rejuvenated El Generico. Michinoku Driver on Eddie gets 2. DR Driver blocked…SOMERSAULT PLANCHA TO EDDIE ON THE FLOOR! STEEN DRIVES DAVEY THROUGH A TABLE WITH A POWERBOMB! STEEN-TON SPLASH COMBO! EDDIE SAVES! A table stack is set up on the floor but Richards goes after Steen’s knee again before he can powerbomb Edwards through it. Eddie throws table #5 into the ring…AS RICHARDS MISSES THE SSP! THROUGH THE TURNBUCKLES TORNADO DDT ON THE FLOOR BY GENERICO! TOP ROPE SPLASH THROUGH A TABLE AND EDWARDS ON OUTSIDE! STEEN WITH THE SHARPSHOOTER ON DAVEY! Shane Hagadorn limps to ringside to help, but eats a Package Piledriver. Richards is positioned on a table next, but Steen takes too long climbing the ropes. RICHARDS SHOVES HIM THROUGH THE TABLE STACK TO THE FLOOR! YAKUZA KICK BY GENERICO! Edwards saves Richards from the Brainbustah…DOOMSDAY ACE CRUSHER THROUGH THE TABLE! New champions as the Wolves win it at 13:25
Rating - **** - A total blitzkrieg of wild high spots for 15 minutes there. It’s easily one of the best HDNet matches thus far…and the first one I think ROH fans who don’t follow the series will truly be disappointed to have missed (since Danielson/Tyler was done better on DVD multiple times last year). With less time to play with it didn’t have the degrees of story-telling that I liked about the No DQ Match in Manhattan, but they concentrated on popping the crowd with a succession of crazy spots. What I particularly liked about this match was how raw it was. This wasn’t a WWE style table match with gimmicky set ups, crisp, picture perfect table breaks etc. This was ugly, with tables NOT breaking perfectly in the middle, with wrestlers taking grotesque neck bumps and only the corners of the table giving way. It was a gritty, underground and totally engaging alternative to the WWE style matches in this genre we’ve been fed since the Dudley Boyz popularised the gimmick in the early 00’s. It’s on the Best Of ROH on HDNet Volume 1 DVD and that release is well worth a purchase to serious ROH collectors since this match was a tremendous instalment in ROH’s best feud in 2009.
Jerry Lynn vs Austin Aries vs Tyler Black vs Bryan Danielson – ROH World Title Match (Episode 012)
Here it is – the main event of the show comes very early tonight so you know it’s going to get some time. This World Title has been absolutely SUPERBLY built up, and set against a backdrop of meaningless throwaway World Title matches like Lynn/Briscoe, Lynn/Hero and Lynn/Strong with zero build, the effort and time that has gone into building this up has been very commendable and has made the title look like something really special to the HDNet audience. Ric Flair has built up Lynn and Aries with some in-ring segments, putting Lynn over as a hard working, worthy champion and whilst Austin has almost taken on a Nature Boy-like attitude in his dogged insistence he’s ROH’s star man and champion in waiting. And the hottest series to come out of HDNet series thus far has been the two superb Danielson/Tyler matches. They’re still to settle their own personal rivalry, but will have a chance to test each other’s skills again tonight on the way to World Title glory.
Philadelphia is vocally anti-Jerry tonight, which is really sad for an ECW alumni. Great editing as they go for commercials as the match is about to begin, but return WITHOUT joining the match in progress – something I really hate in a re-taped product. Hot start with Aries shoving Lynn out of the ring and running laps to celebrate. CANNONBALL SENTON off the apron by Lynn, which leaves Dragon and Tyler alone together once again. Black levels him with a dropkick and turns his attention to Jerry, with whom he also has some history. Danielson takes over with submission work on the champion whilst Black and A-Double brawl in the aisle. Just when Lynn manages to escape Danielson with a flying headscissors, Aries returns to attack him with back and chest rakes. Those two brawl to the floor now and Dragon uses the space to put Black in the Mexican Surfboard. Credit to Aries, he spots the vulnerable Danielson to pounce on him. Lynn then nearly beats Danielson with the same Unbreakable Small Package that Dragon defeated him with at All Star Extravaganza 4. Fourway chinlock into a fourway jawbreaker. More multiple man fun seconds later as Black and Lynn trade Figure 4’s whilst Aries tries a camel clutch on the World Champ.
Black goes for the springboard clothesline but gets shoved to the floor ON TOP OF DANIELSON by Austin. Now he has some time Aries starts working Lynn’s neck, first with a neckbreaker in the ropes then a rudimentary kick to the back of the head. He breaks off from the assault to continually knock Danielson and Tyler back to the outside, meaning he has the maximum possible opportunity to win the title. Jerry thrown to the floor now…but Dragon stops Aries before he can hit the Heat Seeking Missile. Leg drop in the ropes by Lynn…then the SPRINGBOARD LARIAT by Black. TKO from Jerry, then a running knee from Danielson as everyone starts to ally to beat down the irritating A-Double. GERMAN SUPLEX SUNSET FLIP COMBO between Lynn, Bryan and Black. Jerry and Danielson exchange nearfalls…until it’s broken with a LIONSAULT BY TYLER! DANIELSON BRIDGES UP ANYWAY! Black kicks Lynn in the head but gets his back raked by Aries before he can nail the Buckle Bomb. Shinbreak Back Suplex from Aries to Dragon…before Aries sprints into the HEAT SEEKING MISSILE on Jerry. RUNNING SOMERSAULT PLANCHA FROM BLACK! They all go into the crowd which can mean only one thing. SPRINGBOARD CROWD DIVE BY DANIELSON! He only ended up wiping out Tyler though as Aries evaded it at the last possible moment.
Indeed, he very nearly wins the match (and apparently the belt) via count-out until Jerry rolls in with a second to spare. Impact Explosion Dropkick on him, then the BRAINBUSTER! Foot in the ropes for Lynn…which the crowd hates! On the outside Black suplexes Dragon onto the concrete. Austin misses the 450 Splash and eats BUCKLE BOMB! SUPERKICK NAILED! LYNN SAVES! Tyler lays Austin and Jerry side by side, but Dragon stops him hitting the Phoenix Splash. BACK SUPERPLEX ON TOP OF ARIES AND LYNN! HOLY SH*T! All four men are down in a pile, with Dragon up first. KICK YOUR F’N HEAD IN STOMPS! TRIANGLE CHOKE ON TYLER! LAST CHANCERY FROM ARIES TO JERRY! BLACK POWERBOMBS DANIELSON ONTO ARIES TO BREAK IT! He hits the Pele on Danielson. GOD’S LAST GIFT SCORES! JERRY BREAKS IT AGAIN! ‘F*ck You Lynn’ – Philadelphia. Austin destroys both Tyler and Jerry with the IED then gets dropped on his neck off a Danielson Tiger suplex. Dragon goes for Cattle Mutilation…BUT LYNN CATCHES HIM FOR THE FREAKIN’ CRADLE PILEDRIVER! HE NAILS IT! JERRY WINS! It’s over at 21:37
Rating - ****1/2 - Incredible match, which should mean as much to the HDNet series as the amazing Ki/Danielson/Daniels triple threat match at Era Of Honor Begins meant to early ROH. Sure this was a little chaotic and spotty, but it was also a phenomenal display of athleticism, non-stop physicality and a wonderful showcase of how good all four men are. Aries was outstanding as the asshole of the piece, Tyler provided moments of incredible innovation (the Buckle Bomb onto Lynn, the powerbomb to stop the Last Chancery, the Lionsault onto Danielson and Jerry etc) whilst Danielson and Jerry held it together with their superb technical and pacing ability. It’s almost a shame they didn’t switch the belt to Aries here since he was (arguably) the star of the match, has come off like ROH’s top star on HDNet thus far…and when the crowd turned on Jerry like they did here, you’d argue it’s time to get the strap off him asap. Must-see match, deservedly up there with Nigel/KENTA, KENTA/Richards, the No DQ Steen-erico/Wolves match and a couple of others for ROH MOTY thus far.
Tape Rating - **** - For $15, this is awesome value. Admittedly if you’re a long term follower of ROH you’ve seen Danielson/Black, Danielson/Aries and Aries/Strong done far better elsewhere, but the two Title matches at the end are absolutely terrific, and you’re getting a high volume of quality wrestling for your buck. On top of the main event stuff Aries/Omega, Omega/King/Briscoe and ANX vs Steen/Generico are underrated matches deserving of being seen by as many people as possible.
Top 3 Matches
3) Bryan Danielson vs Tyler Black (**** - Episode 008)
2) Kevin Steen/El Generico vs American Wolves (**** - Episode 011)
1) Jerry Lynn vs Bryan Danielson vs Tyler Black vs Austin Aries (****1/2 –Episode 012)