Ring Of Honor – The Best Of ROH on HDNet – Volume 4
Once again, I own the DVD’s…but I haven’t watched them as I’m reviewing the full episodes. All of these reviews are cut and paste from my episode write-ups so there's not a lot of fresh content on my part. All are taped in Philadelphia, PA’s The Arena with Mike Hogewood and Dave Prazak on commentary.
Young Bucks vs Jay Briscoe/Mark Briscoe (Episode 032)
We saw these teams do battle twice over the course of the Final Countdown Tour, with the Briscoes pulling out a win in the Dayton leg of the tour before the Bucks evened the score with a huge win at Glory By Honor 8. Despite this match having been taped before either of those two were even contested, it now serves as a rubber match and will be hotly anticipated.
Jay starts with Matt, trading headscissors and armdrags before pausing to receive warm and deserved applause. The Bucks get the advantage over Mark by doing that machine gun tags routine they do in every match. Leapfrog dropkick floors Jay and gets an early 2-count, but the Briscoes are no strangers to double team offence themselves and retaliate with a bulldog/flatliner combo. Neckbreaker to backbreaker combo by the Jacksons put themselves in charge again…but that lasts as long as it takes for Jay to blind tag his way in and deliver a big spinebuster on Matt. Finally the Briscoes enjoy a sustained period of offence – the first for either team in the match – utilising multiple combo moves and double teams on Matt Jackson and drawing multiple nearfalls. No victory is forthcoming though, and eventually Matt hits a neckbreaker then gets the hot tag to Nick. Moonsault off the apron to Mark, followed by a slingshot facebuster back inside which takes Jay down. Mark back in to drop Matt with the urinage. Doomsday Device blocked and the Jacksons set up for More Bang For Your Buck. The Dark City Fight Club run in to attack them and force a no contest at 10:04
Rating - ** - The match itself was ok (good when the Briscoes were in charge, same as every other Young Bucks match when they weren’t), but that finish sucked hard. I thought Pearce had got over his fetish for uninspired, unnecessary run ins as a way to progress feuds, but clearly this one slipped through the net. Granted the match wasn’t outstanding but the DCFC coming out to ruin it doesn’t get them heel heat, it gets them ‘we don’t care about the DCFC, we like the Briscoes and the Bucks a lot more and aren’t interested in seeing the Fight Club involved with the likes of them’ heat. That said, I’d be more concerned with the fact that every Briscoes/Young Bucks match I see is worse than the last. This was as average and unspectacular as it gets…
Nigel McGuinness vs Colt Cabana (Episode 032)
In 2005 these two had a hell of a rivalry, contesting several entertaining and highly original European-inspired mat battles and culminating in the infamous Soccer Riot Match at Night Of The Grudges 2. With rumours swirling that Nigel is on his way out of Ring Of Honor too, what better way to showcase him in ROH than with a match against one of his biggest ROH rivals.
Big ‘Thank You Nigel’ chants, with Prazak nicely keeps in kayfabe by calling it ‘too little, too late’ in convincing him to stay with Ring Of Honor. Lots of British goofiness as you might expect from Cabana, and this time it’s Hog bringing some strong insight as he points out that all those wristlocks and arm submissions Cabana is working will really damage the arms Nigel has struggled with so much this year. Having seen enough, McGuinness throws Colt out of the ring and into the dangerous environment dominated by those sheet metal railings. That inevitably kills Cabana’s momentum and allows Nigel to start working the arm for himself. Fans start chanting ‘Boring’, which noticeably amuses the former World Champion as he goes for That Arm Submission. Cobra Clutch McLariat ducked though, allowing Colt to unleash a volley of elbow strikes. Flying Asshole misses, enabling McGuinness to deliver the kick/chest strike combo out of the corner. Jawbreaker Lariat countered to a folding press for 2. Tower Of London on the apron is blocked…FLYING ASSHOLE OFF THE APRON! MOONSAULT TO THE FLOOR! Cabana nearly wins it with a Superfly Splash, but can’t seal the deal and soon finds himself on the back foot again after McGuinness scores with the Tower Of London for 2. INVERTED COLT 45 FROM NOTHING! Cabana gets a huge win at 12:05
Rating - *** - Far from a must-see match, indeed, this barely made it into 3* territory. If you like some of the fun, intricate European style stuff guys like Cabana, Claudio and Nigel can do then you should like this. It wasn’t as good as some of the better matches they had in 2005, but it was a fun addendum to that famous series, and was a nice, low impact match for Nigel to work on his way out. Good luck to him in TNA but, since he suffered those severe injuries and dropped the belt earlier this year, Nigel just hasn’t looked like the same wrestler at all.
American Wolves vs Bryan Danielson/Roderick Strong (Episode 033)
Although this was technically the first match ROH taped as part of The Final Countdown Tour, with the delay between taping and broadcast this becomes the penultimate match in the tour. Dragon has had a number of excellent matches with the American Wolves this year, and in singles combat as a singles victory over Eddie Edwards, whom he’s called one of his favourite guys to wrestle this year. Obviously as this is broadcast after the Final Countdown Tour Boston event, we also know Dragon lost a superb, MOTYC-level match to Davey Richards on that show. And his choice of partner is also hugely significant. Dragon made Roddy a believable main event talent with their wonderful series of matches in 2005/6, they formed a semi-regular team in PWG and get the chance to bring that team to ROH one time, before breaking it up next week for Danielson’s farewell. And bearing in mind Strong’s history with Richards, he’s hardly lacking in motivation himself. Tag Titles are not on the line.
Davey demands he be allowed to start with Danielson, and immediately regrets it as Dragon drags him down and stomps the wrist. Strong and Edwards in next, running through an impressive and concise wrestling exchange of their own. Bryan joins Strong in the ring for a double suplex, before pummelling Eddie in the corner with big kicks. Second rope Codebreaker by Eddie gets 2 as Davey FLIES OFF THE APRON with a DDT to wipe out Strong on the outside. Danielson is sent to the outside next, with Davey distracting the official to allow Edwards to assault him against the guardrails. The Wolves do a great job working Danielson over whilst keeping Strong from even getting on the apron, let alone make a tag. Dragon tries that Sayama flip to running elbow spot, but Richards is waiting to punt him in the back as he hits the ropes. He goes for the Handspring Enzi, but Dragon COUNTERS with a dropkick to the neck and finally makes the vital tag to Roderick. Urinage backbreaker gets 2 on Richards. But the numbers advantage stack up in the Wolves’ favour again, with the two of them overwhelming Strong and keeping Bryan out of the ring now. Danielson does return and look for Cattle Mutilation, but Davey CATCHES HIM WITH THE TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! ACHILLES TENDON LOCK ON STRONG! No submissions there, so the match continues. Strong escapes the Die Hard, then scoops Eddie up for the Hart Attack double team. Stronghold…Davey tries to break it with kicks. RODDY SPITS IN HIS FACE! DOUBLE TEAM ALARM CLOCK! CLIMBING WIZARD! SICK KICK! ALL FOUR DOWN! Dragon and Davey are the first two up, and slug it out as the fans chant ‘Best In The World’ at both of them. They collapse out of the ring leaving Strong and Eddie to have their own strike duel. Backpack Stunner gets 2 on the former FIP Champion. Richards joins Edwards to get another nearfall with a nifty little kick combo. Doomsday Ace Crusher halted by Danielson…who then sprints into a TOPE SUICIDA on Edwards! TOPE CON CRAZY BY RICHARDS! DEATH BY BACKBREAKER gets Roddy a 2! DEATH BY RODERICK! SICK BLOCK BLOCKED! STRONG NAILS THE SICK KICK ANYWAY FOR 2! Richards sneaks in to low blow Roderick, allowing the Wolves to hit the powerbomb/lungblower combo for 2. Achilles Tendon Lock forces Strong to tap, handing the American Wolves the victory at 16:49
Rating - **** - Up there with the best matches on HDNet thus far. It wasn’t necessarily perfect, but the way they gradually built the match up as it went along, eventually climaxing with this explosions of violence between Danielson and Richards, then Edwards and Strong was just spectacular. I just loved the moment when Bryan and Davey were smashing the sh*t out of each other, with fans roaring ‘Best In The World’ at both of them. The FCT Boston match was where we really saw Richards’ torch passing, but this was a superb prelude/epilogue (depending which way you look at it) to that excellent match. The American Wolves have absolutely carried ROH in 2009, and it’s nice to see matches like this on the TV show to tide us over whilst Eddie is on the shelf with an injury. Must see stuff…
Bryan Danielson vs Roderick Strong (Episode 034)
Last week these guys were on the same team in a losing effort to the American Wolves. This week they renew their classic rivalry for one last match before Danielson departs for WWE, FCW and eventually the inaugural season of NXT. In 2005 the two Danielson/Strong matches (at This Means War and Vendetta) were defining moments in Roderick Strong’s career. They were clear highlights of the early part of Dragon’s ROH Title run, but for Roddy, they were the matches that established himself as a top level guy in Ring Of Honor. He wouldn’t have the spot he has in ROH today without the MOTYC calibre stuff he and Danielson pulled off in that match, as well as their 2006 epic at Supercard Of Honor. With both Danielson and Nigel leaving, the path to the very top of ROH has never been clearer for Roderick – so getting one more match with Danielson on his way out is a great way to start him out.
Fans are going ballistic for Danielson which, given how badly mic’d the audiences are for these shows, means they must have been absolutely deafening live. First knockdown goes to Strong though, countering out of a wristlock to spring into a dropkick. Dragon retorts by rolling through a sunset flip attempt to deliver a big standing kick to the sternum. Roderick survives that and hoists him into a couple of early backbreakers then shunts him into the corner for a flurry of brutal chops. He tries to work that back, but in a terrific counter, Danielson counters a leg full nelson into a grounded surfboard. HUGE chop from Strong…with Dragon’s chest starting to flare up as it did with every match in their initial series a few years ago. Bryan fires back with kicks, but when he goes for the Sayama flip into running elbow, Roddy cuts him off with a forearm smash. RUNNING ELBOW NAILED ANYWAY! I love familiarity sequences like that. Strong gets 2 with the urinage backbreaker, and it’s followed by a pumphandle backbreaker for yet another nearfall. Despite that Danielson STILL tries his missile dropkick spot…only to find it COUNTERED to the Stronghold. Dragon counters from that to a roll-up for 2. DEATH BY RODERICK COUNTERED WITH A RANA INTO A TRIANGLE CHOKE! Strong leaves the ring, only to get dropkicked off the apron and into the crowd. SPRINGBOARD CROWD DIVE SCORES! Second time of asking Bryan does land the missile dropkick, followed by the running enzi kick. Neat counter from Strong for the Cattle Mutilation…LEBELL LOCK INSTEAD! COUNTERED TO THE STRONGHOLD! COUNTERED TO KICK YOUR HEAD IN FACE STOMPS AND A TRIANGLE CHOKE! Roderick tries unsuccessfully to powerbomb his way free. In the end a POWERBOMB BACKBREAKER is required to escape the Triangle Choke. Urinage backbreaker…DEATH BY BACKBREAKER FOR 2! He goes for a superplex but it’s blocked, and of course Bryan is quick enough to turn it into a REGAL SUPERPLEX! CATTLE MUTILATION! NO! COUNTERED TO DEATH BY RODERICK! GIBSON DRIVER GETS 2! AVALANCHE DEATH BY RODERICK! SICK KICK! Roddy finally gets a singles win over Danielson at 18:01
Rating - **** - If you’ve seen Wrestling Road Diaries, you’ll know that Bryan was a little disappointed by this match – and definitely didn’t think it was anything special at all. That he was so under whelmed by this should serve as an example of the crazily high standards he sets himself. This was a fantastic match, one of the best matches we’ve seen on ROH on HDNet thus far. The levels of familiarity countering these guys were busting out were just amazing. Honestly, had Dragon sold the back at all, or had the finish not felt so sudden (again, referring to Wrestling Road Diaries, there’s a locker room scene with Danielson explaining to Adam Pearce that the HDNet time constraints meant he just couldn’t do enough stuff in the closing stages, with the limited TV time restriction, to draw the crowd into it as he wanted) this would have snuck into MOTY territory. Definitely one of my favourite Final Countdown Tour matches too.
American Wolves vs Young Bucks – ROH Tag Title Match (Episode 035)
Having scored huge wins recently over the likes of the Dark City Fight Club and even the Briscoes, the Bucks were always going to get an opportunity to challenge for these belts sooner or later. But as everyone seems to be pointing out at the moment, Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards are staking their claims to be the TOP guys in Ring Of Honor, having emerged victorious in their epic Feud Of The Year candidate with Kevin Steen and El Generico, having defeated Bryan Danielson during his Final Countdown Tour, having defended against all comers (including the Briscoes)…are the Jacksons the men to stop their path of destruction?
Richards and Nick Jackson get us going, with Nick using his speed to outmatch Davey, dragging him to the Bucks corner for the machine gun tag spots. Backflip stereo dropkicks nailed, followed by the leapfrog dropkick on Edwards to put both Wolves on the outside. STEREO PESCADOS and the Bucks are cooking in the opening minutes of this one. Angered, Davey drags Matt to the canvas and delivers a horrific punt to the spine, putting the Wolves on top for the first time. Edwards takes him to the floor, body slams him on the concrete then hits another big kick to the back out there. Matt tries a sunset flip on Eddie, but in a call spot, he basically flips over, looks up and gets kicked IN THE FACE by Richards. He then runs into an enzi kick to knock Nick off the apron before continuing the assault on his beleaguered brother Matt. But Matt shows real courage, drawing the Wolves into a misfire…but before he can get a tag Nick is floored by another enzi kick from Richards. NICK GETS THE TAG ANYWAY! ROLLING MOONSAULT TO THE FLOOR! Tornado DDT on Edwards gets 2! He misses a Swanton…but BLOCKS the Double Alarm Clock and forces Richards to kick Eddie instead. Springboard Splash/Standing Moonsault combo gets 2. More Bang For Your Buck blocked by Eddie, then Richards storms in to drop Matt with a Tombstone Piledriver for 2. Doomsday Device blocked by a reverse rana by Matt…ROPE RUN SUPER RANA FROM NICK TO DAVEY! Matt then springboards into a tumbling cutter on Edwards for a close nearfall. MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK NAILED! RICHARDS WITH A LAST GASP SAVE! Davey mows down Nick with the handspring enzi…KICK DUEL WITH MATT! DOUBLE ALARM CLOCK! POWERBOMB LUNGBLOWER FOR 2! ACHILLES TENDON LOCK! Nick tries to save but springboards into the DR DRIVER! Matt has no choice but to tap at 12:23
Rating - **** - On occasions I’ve been really critical of the Young Bucks. I’m definitely not as enamoured with them as some people. Personally I find them frustrating in that, they could be SO good, but too often fall into the trap of doing the same old spots in every match just because they’re comfortable with them and know that a live crowd will react to it. But you can’t deny that when they’re on, they are SO good. The recent Steen-erico/Bucks match from Aries vs Richards was the best I’ve seen from them in ROH, and for a free TV main event, this was absolutely exceptional. It helps that the Wolves are on another level completely right now of course, but the Jacksons comfortably carried their end in this bout. They were great at the explosive babyface start to the match, flying at the Wolves and actually using that annoying rapid fire tag spot with a purpose rather than because it looks cool. And then Matt made an EXCELLENT whipping boy for the intense heat segment. But this is it, when the Bucks work with a team who MAKE them work hard, and work a match which MAKES all the Young Bucks trademark spots string together into a coherent match, then they are exceptional. To that end, the Bucks vs CIMA/Yokosuka from DGUSA’s Open The Historic Gate remains one of my favourite matches from 2009 anywhere. If you’re a fan of the Young Bucks you’ll love this match. If, like me, you’re a bit of a sceptic, or someone who likes them but finds their inconsistency pretty irritating, give this match a shot. I guarantee it was matches like this which convinced TNA to sign them up…
Dark City Fight Club vs Jay Briscoe/Mark Briscoe (Episode 036)
DCFC have been destroying all comers in the tag division on HDNet. Other than a shock loss to the Young Bucks, they’ve been pretty much indestructible. However, it has to be said that many of their wins have come at the expense of ‘lesser’ teams. This is no doubt their sternest test thus far, with the Briscoes being just as tough, and potentially just as dominant as themselves. This could get ugly…
Jay starts with Davis, hitting an early heel kick and driving him back into the corner to regroup. Davis powers back with a shoulder tackle, and comes ‘this close’ to stomping Jay’s head off on the mat. Rainman in to trade stiff shots with Jay before falling victim to a springboard move on the blindside by Mark. Briscoe Football Tackle, followed by a nice Russian legsweep/back senton combo gets 2. The DCFC botch their Hart Attack Leg Drop combo and get a surprisingly easy time of it…then re-run the spot and get a 2 with it second time around. Backbreaker/leg drop combo gets a nearfall as well. Mark hits a rebound forearm smash on Chavis before making a vital tag to his brother. He kicks Kory’s head off only to be mauled by Davis instead. CACTUS CLOTHESLINE takes him to the floor for a big brawl. SOMERSAULT PLANCHA from Mark wipes out everyone! The fight continues and we end up going to a double count-out at 08:25.
Rating - ** - I said this could get ugly – sometimes intentionally, sometimes not. I dug where they were going with this – two physical, brawling teams desperate to beat the piss out of each other. Putting them in there and letting them manhandle the Briscoes does a lot to legitimise the DCFC who have floated around the tag team division all year but haven’t quite made the impact they would have liked. Hopefully we’ll get a rematch down the line, and see these teams given more time to tear each other apart…
Referees and jobbers pile out in a desperate attempt to separate the four men as they continue to brawl. In the end it’s the Briscoes left standing in the ring whilst the Fight Club are dragged to the back.
Austin Aries vs Colt Cabana (Episode 036)
Non-title action here (Colt gets his shot at the belt next week) with Colt looking to teach Aries a lesson after he burnt Tyler’s face and allowed his protégés to take Jerry Lynn out. Aries is out to prove that Cabana’s challenge to him is nothing but a joke.
Hog’s man-crush on Cabana is pretty disturbing. Nice Japanese armdrag from Aries gets us underway, with the champ looking to use his speed to outmatch the mat-wrestling skill of his opponent. Slingshot reverse elbow flattens Colt in the corner, but he takes too long celebrating and takes multiple boots to the stomach. That gives Cabana a window to start using his crazy European stuff and immediately the momentum of the match shifts into his favour. Aries tries to skin the cat, but winds up taking a nasty looking kick to the gut again and tumbles out of the ring. RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP TO THE RING POST! Just like that A-Double takes charge, viciously attacking Cabana’s neck. Power Drive Elbow misses because he takes too long stalling allowing Cabana back into the match. Quebrada press gets 2. Aries counters the Flying Asshole with a high octane clothesline…then goes upstairs for a frog splash – his own version of a ‘flying asshole’. Colt 45 countered with the shinbreak back suplex. IED blocked though, and he muscles Austin up for the TURNBUCKLE GUTBUSTER! COLT 45! But he lands too close to the ropes, allowing A-Double to grab them at 2. Billy Goat’s Curse blocked…and Aries sprints into the HEAT SEEKING MISSILE! BRAINBUSTER! Cabana kicks out at 2. Kick Of Death…no, it’s COUNTERED TO THE BILLY GOAT’S CURSE! Kenny King tries to interfere…pursued by Brent Albright! Aries starts tapping but the referee misses it amidst the melee caused by Albright and King. Rhett Titus runs in as well, forcing Colt to break the hold. KICK OF DEATH! LAST CHANCERY! The World Champion scores a tainted main event victory at 12:36
Rating - *** - Being honest I wasn’t really looking forward to this all that much, but I found myself enjoying it quite a lot. I loved how Cabana worked the ribs whenever he was on offence. I loved how they actually made his goofy European stuff relevant by having Aries break out some retro, “old school” Austin Aries speedy spots to avoid it. Sure the finish was overbooked, but this was never supposed to be a marquee match for Ring Of Honor – this was a fun, FREE TV main event, it furthered the Cabana/Aries angle, put ANX over again…this has to be considered a success. I now look forward to the Reverse The Curse main event even more.
Kevin Steen/El Generico vs Jay Briscoe/Mark Briscoe (Episode 037)
This has been one of the hottest rivalries in Ring Of Honor history. They tore each other apart in their bitter war of 2007, culminating in the epic Ladder War at the Man Up ppv. Then in 2008 they fought twice more, with the roles of champion and challengers ironically reversed as Steen and Generico managed to successfully defend the Tag belts against the Briscoes this time around. Then earlier this year we saw their first clash on HDNet. It was a memorable bout, but it went to a non-finish when the American Wolves interfered to attack both teams. Now we have a HDNet rematch, with the huge prize of getting to challenge the Wolves live on ROH’s first ever iPPV.
Jay starts with Steen, both guys happy to work the mat and feel each other out considering how familiar they are with each other. Generico gets the tag and increases the pace with his lucha armdrag box of tricks. Briscoe Biel on him to hand the Briscoes the advantage. Desperate tag to Steen, who looks for the Steen-ton Bomb early and dives INTO MARK’S KNEES! Hog suspects that hurt Mark’s surgically repaired knee as much as it did Kevin Steen, and that may turn out to be correct as Steen recovers quickly and joins with Generico in working over that particular body part. Mark tries to mount a fightback, only for Mr Wrestling to sadistically punt his knee once again. Finally Mark hits the urinage suplex but is too wounded to capitalise right away. Hot tag to Jay finally comes, and he gets 2 with a big sliding kick to Steen’s face as he sits in the corner. NECK DROP DVD gets 2 as well. Steen evades the traditional Briscoe tackle, puts Mark in the corner with a Codebreaker then charges for the cannonball senton and gets a nearfall. Jay saves his brother from another Steen-ton…AND THEN EL GENERICO JUMPS OFF STEEN’S BACK INTO A SOMERSAULT PLANCHA TO THE FLOOR! In the ring Mr Wrestling scores a 2 on Mark with the pumphandle cradlebreaker. Yakuza Kick blocked, so it’s the Michinoku Driver instead from the masked man. Mark blocks the Brainbuster though, but injures his own leg kicking Generico away. SHARPSHOOTER ON HIM…SUPERKICK BY JAY The older Briscoe then drops Generico with a spinebuster and hauls him up…DOOMSDAY DEVICE! Steen saves his partner from defeat and goes BACK TO THE SHARPSHOOTER! Bravely Mark finds the bottom rope, but can he even get up now? Package Piledriver COUNTERED with an Ace Crusher. JAY DRILLER ON STEEN! The Briscoes win! They advance to Final Battle at 14:28
Rating - **** - I think this is the first time I’ve gone to 4* on a HDNet undercard match. In truth, ROH are clearly trying to build this up as a huge episode in that Corny debuts, they’re shilling their first iPPV, Tyler Black is back AND the World Title is on the line. These two teams have such amazing chemistry together that this, good as it was, probably isn’t even in their Top 5. It was, however, smartly worked and full of fun…with Mark’s selling of the knee standing out as remarkable. Wolves/Steen-erico has been done a lot this year, and with the Briscoes still seeking for revenge for Mark’s injury, they are the logical challengers for the titles at Final Battle.
Austin Aries vs Kenny Omega vs Davey Richards vs Roderick Strong – ROH World Title Match (Episode 037)
This is the second time the ROH World Title has been defended on HDNet in this match format. Last time we saw an unbelievable MOTYC with Jerry Lynn just able to sneak past Danielson, Tyler and the current champion Austin Aries. Will the experience of that match, coupled with the fact that Aries has already defended the belt in a similar four corner match at Death Before Dishonor 7 Night 1, give him the advantage here. Although it was taped beforehand, in chronological terms this is a big rematch for Richards and Omega, after they both pushed Aries to the absolute limit in Novi and Mississauga at the end of November, in phenomenal but losing efforts. And the fourth guy in there needs little introduction either. He should know Aries better than anyone having been a co-Tag Champion and fellow founding member of Generation Next alongside the current champ. He’s beaten Aries in the past and, having been controversially been defeated in the finals of the 2009 Survival Of The Fittest, will think this is a championship opportunity he rightfully deserves.
Aries thumbs Omega and Strong in the eyes, then bails before Davey can kick his head off and that’s how we get underway. He winds up getting to assault Kenny against the guardrails whilst rivals Richards and Strong stiff each other inside the ring. Richards goes for the handspring enzi, but gets clobbered by an opportunistic World Champion, who cracks him in the neck then drags him out of the ring. Roderick comes to his former NRC partner’s aid by tossing Austin head-first into the railings. Neckbreaker in the ropes from Aries to Strong, but as the champion lines up the Heat Seeking Missile Kenny Omega arrives with a missile dropkick. Stop Sign Enzi BLOCKED with a slap, so Omega hits the Leapfrog Bulldog instead. Aries blocks Croyt’s Wrath and leaves the ring again onto the floor. Kenny thinks about a Bermuda Triangle only to spring into a big kick from Richards. Prazak starts shilling Richards/Omega at Clash Of The Contenders which he NEEDS to do more of. On the floor Roderick drops the champ with a big slam then has to dive into the ring to break a pinfall after Davey floors Omega with another roundhouse kick. CHOP DUEL between the former NRC guys. Davey goes upstairs, and is once again ambushed by Aries who hits a big frog splash for 2. IED misses Roderick, so Kenny jumps into a heel kick on the Floridian instead. IED NAILED THIS TIME! Aries swoops again but can’t get Richards up for the Brainbuster. JUMPING ENZI counters the Heat Seeking Missile. CORKSCREW PESCADO BY STRONG! RUNNING SOMERSAULT PLANCHA FROM OMEGA! Back inside and A-Double pulls the perm to stop Kenny going for Croyt’s Wrath again. ROPE RUN GERMAN SUPERPLEX BY RICHARDS! BRIDGING GERMAN SUPLEX GETS 2! Davey is the CLEAR favourite with the fans here. REVERSE RANA from Omega to Richards as they renew their Clash Of The Contenders rivalry. CROYT’S WRATH ON ARIES! STRONG SAVES! DEATH BY RODERICK! SICK KICK! RICHARDS SAVES! Twice someone else has had to dive in to save Austin Aries’ title reign. The three challengers fight amongst themselves with Omega getting the best of them all and dropping Strong with the Blue Destiny for 2. ALARM CLOCK ON KENNY! SICK KICK ON KENNY! Roddy and Davey staredown…with no love lost between these two. CHOPS VS KICKS DUEL! DR Driver blocked though…but so is Death By Roderick – INTO THE TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! GIBSON DRIVER! ARIES SAVES WITH THE KICK OF DEATH! He then rolls up the still wounded Richards to win at 15:16
Rating - **** - I’ve seen people call this an MOTYC and as good as the original HDNet fourway. I’m not going that high on the rating. The shorter duration of this inevitably made it more spotty, and I felt things got a little chaotic and silly without a technician like a Danielson or a Jerry Lynn in there to hold it together. Not that it wasn’t exciting – and it was great to see Aries use the same strategy as he did last time, with selective insertions into the match, then leaving again as soon as he felt threatened at all. Still, this was all action and an amazing main event to what has comfortably been the best episode of ROH on HDNet to date.
For some reason there are also a couple of random ‘bonus’ matches…
Kenny King/Rhett Titus vs Jerry Lynn/Tyler Black (Episode 027)
Last week it was revealed that Jerry has taken Black under his wing and will attempt to mentor him over his ‘dropping the ball’ problem. I remain very unconvinced about how well that will work at getting Tyler over, but you can’t deny this match should be a good way to start the show.
‘This can do nothing but help Tyler Black’s career’ – Hog on the Lynn/Black team. I just don’t agree with that at all! ANX bring the comedy from the outset with King mocking Black for being a choker whilst Rhett rips on Lynn for being old. Jerry takes the youngster to school with a big body slam then some pelvic thrusting of his own. He then serves King with some dance moves too! He can’t hang in a Michael Jackson dance contest with Kenny though. Amazingly, it’s actually King who gets serious first, trying to work a wristlock only to be dragged into the babyface corner and ambushed by Black. Tyler comes in and botches an armdrag spot, which the crowd REALLY jump on for some reason. The fans get back on board when Jerry and Tyler nail a drop toehold/quebrada combo for 2. Double team chops/elbows on Titus next for another nearfall as the new team start to impress. That is until King grabs Jerry from behind, leaving him in position for the big Titus dropkick. Sound strategy from Kenny as he pounces on the older competitor and tries to work the back. Lynn hits an inverted DDT and thinks about a tag, only to see Rhett dragging Black off the apron. The ANX isolate Lynn until Titus blocks the traditional Jerry sunset flip bomb out the corner…so Jerry turns it into a Razor’s Edge instead! Hot tag to Tyler who gets an immediate 2 with the Black Star Press. Flying Elbow Drop on Titus, before hoisting him up for a leg drop/sidewalk slam combo with his partner. Jerry hits the TKO on Lynn, then turns into a powerbomb from Kenny…who in turn eats Tyler’s Pele Kick. Buckle Bomb attempted but Rhett saves with a swinging neckbreaker. Thrust Buster on Black…but Jerry saves from the Doomsday Blockbuster. STEREO SOMERSAULT PLANCHAS TO THE FLOOR by Black and Lynn. King recovers to crotch Lynn on top then leaps into an enzi kick. ROPE RUN SEX FACTOR GETS 2! Lynn blocks the Blindside Lariat…and Tyler flies back in with the springboard lariat. Jerry in with the CRADLE PILEDRIVER TO TITUS! Lynn and Black win at 12:45
Rating - *** - It’s sort of gone unnoticed but the All Night Express are having a terrific year on the undercards of these HDNet shows. Working shorter TV length matches ideal for them as it doesn’t expose their weaknesses too much, but gives them plenty of opportunity to show off their characters and increasingly fluid double teams. Check out their matches with the likes of Steen-erico and the Stevens/Omega team from earlier episodes too if you need further proof. This one has to go down as one of the top opening matches on the show so far with lots of solid work building to a really exciting finish. Had Tyler not been working a little sloppy (I think his neck was really affecting him at this taping) this would have been edging towards an even higher rating.
Sonjay Dutt vs Delirious (Episode 028)
Following his TNA departure, Dutt made his return to televised pro-wrestling with a match against Delirious a few weeks ago. Motivated by Daizee Haze, Delirious was able to pick up the win – and that’s a defeat Sonjay is coming to avenge tonight.
Hogewood claims to speak Deliri-ese. Delirious’ usual shenanigans see him gain the early advantage over a bewildered Sonjay. Next he breaks out some judo throws that he picked up from that random Japanese guy Daizee made him train with. Dutt hits a nifty flying headscissors combo to take things to the outside…but Delirious soon gets the upper hand again by tossing him to the railings. Suicide Flip lined up but Dutt hides behind the Haze to stop his opponent diving. That hesitation hands the initiative to Dutt. The masked man looks to fight back with Never Ending Story clotheslines but Sonjay jabs him in the throat, taking the wind out of his sails again. Leaping Lariat sends Sonjay outside…TOP ROPE SUICIDE DIVE TO THE FLOOR! Back inside he hits the Cobra Clutch-plex for 2. Shadows Over Hell evaded though, as is the Panic Attack to allow Dutt to land a slingshot leg drop in the ropes. Cobra Stretch locked in but Sonjay breaks free…so it’s the Panic Attack again. SHADOWS OVER HELL COUNTERED TO AN ACE CRUSHER! Camel Clutch locked in and Sonjay wins at 09:41
Rating - ** - Solid, competitive match with a couple of really exciting moments. I like Dutt’s weird, sleazy character a lot more than his TNA tribute act, so I’m curious to see where this leads. Not buying the Camel Clutch as a finisher at all though.
Tape Rating - *** - Once again, these HDNet compilation DVD’s represent superb value for money. There’s probably more dull filler to sit through on this than in any of the previous instalments, and the fact that it only spans five actual HDNet episodes makes this a little bit more of a cheeky, money grabbing release than the others. HOWEVER, there are a number of great matches on here. The two Danielson farewell matches are worth the $15 themselves. But toss in the two superb Episode 37 matches (Briscoes/Steen-erico & Aries/Strong/Omega/Richards) and the amazing Wolves/Bucks Tag Title match as well and you’re still getting plenty of sizzle for your cash here. If you didn’t see or didn’t have access to the HDNet show, these DVD’s are must-own.
Top 3 Matches
3) American Wolves vs Bryan Danielson/Roderick Strong (**** Episode 033)
2) American Wolves vs Young Bucks (**** - Episode 035)
1) Roderick Strong vs Bryan Danielson (**** - Episode 034)