ROH on Sinclair – Episode 005 – 22nd October 2011
I always gave ROH a real hard time when I felt their HDNet show wasn’t up to scratch. And believe me I had that criticism a lot during the show’s two year run. Too often I felt that Ring Of Honor let their televised product slip into hours of forgettable mediocrity. And that’s why I’ll happily hold my hands up and say that the first set of tapings for the SBG show were a massive improvement. Two great title matches, a number of solid supporting bouts too, lots of characters introduced and a real drive to make each and every second of airtime count. This show is the first from the second set of tapings. I’ve not seen any matches announced but going by the graphic on my screen it looks like we have Jay Lethal defending the TV Title against Mike Bennett. These shows were taped in Louisville, KY (back at the Davis Arena). Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness to call the action.
Mike Mondo vs TJ Perkins
SBG debuts for both men this evening. It was inevitable that Mondo would be back in ROH upon our return to Cornette’s old OVW stomping grounds. Sadly he’s still pedalling that stupid ‘giant killer’ gimmick, and yes, he’s still the same size as most of the roster. In fact, his opponent tonight is less bulky than him – but I support Ring Of Honor splashing the cash to bring TJP to their TV product. He is such an innovative and unique performer that he will really impress new fans.
Fair play to Nigel, he brings up facing TJ at 5th Year Festival Philly. Without Prazak references to ROH’s past have been scarce on the new show. Perkins starts at 100mph and Mondo has no answer to the bewitching combination moves he’s throwing about. Tree of woe dropkick scores and sends Mike retreating out of the ring. But Mondo shows he can pull off athletic stuff too – by smashing TJP into the guardrails then hitting a cannonball senton off the apron. Mafia kick drops Perkins for a nearfall. He hammers him with forearms but TJ actually absorbs them and begs him to hit him again! He hangs in the ropes…luring Mondo into falling out of the ring for him to nail a tope suicida! Figure 4 Deathlock briefly applied but Mondo finds a bottom rope. He teases a knee injury then surprises TJ by dropping him into a lungblower for 2. Perkins starts kicking him in the head and wins with a Magistral Cradle at 07:15
Rating - ** - As a showcase of TJ Perkins this worked fine. I was actually really enjoying it up until about the 5 minute mark, then I felt it started out-staying it’s welcome and gave me far more Mike Mondo than I really wanted to see on television. I know Jim Cornette likes the guy though, so I’m sure this won’t be the last we see of him
After commercials Cornette brings the Briscoes out for an interview in front of the live crowd. He informs them of his decision – he’s booking another Briscoes/ANX match with the winners getting a Tag Title shot at Final Battle 2011. Jay and Mark cut an awesome promo and get so fired up they start fighting each other!
In the locker room Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin throw their support behind the Briscoes in the #1 contenders battle – so they get their chance at revenge in December
INSIDE ROH – Kevin Kelly turns our attention to the Final Battle iPPV. Roderick Strong says he only lost to Davey Richards two weeks ago because Davey launched an ‘unprovoked attack’ on Truth Martini…and as such won’t be getting to challenge for the title on ppv in December. Instead he is issuing an open challenge to any wrestler in the world to come and face him – and will steal the show from Davey’s World Title Match. Richards gets a separate promo to talk about his preparations for Final Battle with his Team Richards colleagues and regular NJPW bookings.
Jay Lethal vs Mike Bennett – ROH TV Title Match
Ever since The Prodigy debuted on Ring Of Honor television at the end of last year he’s been forecasting success for himself in this promotion. Initially he said he’d be World Champion by the end of 2011. Now it’s been downgraded to saying he’ll be ‘a champion’ – and tonight is his chance as he gets his second shot at the TV Title. He lost to Chris Daniels at Defy Or Deny first time around, and also lost to Lethal in Jay’s comeback match at Best In The World 2011 so the omens aren’t good for him. Will he do what Lethal did to Generico and win the belt in the new champion’s first defence?
Intense lock-up gets us going, although Lethal wisely breaks as he doesn’t look able to overpower The Prodigy in that situation. Rightly he goes to speed moves instead, landing the hiptoss dropkick to ground his opponent. But Bennett shows he can match quickness with him, springing off the canvas into a picture perfect dropkick. They fight on the floor, right in front of fans holding up ‘Steen Is Right’ and ‘We Want Steen’ signs as the subtle build to Mr Wrestling’s eventual return continues. The TV Champion is in control, his speed and agility starting to edge ahead of Bennett’s power and strategy. It isn’t enough to stop Brutal Bob though, and after a distraction from his coach Bennett hoists Lethal on his shoulders the drops him throat-first over the top rope! For the first time, the champion is in trouble at commercial break time. Back from the break as Prodigy hits a big neckbreaker for 2. Jay is fighting hurt, repeatedly clutching at his neck and struggling to catch his breath. Front choke applied, allowing Bennett to use his size as leverage and drop Lethal to the mat as he starts to lose consciousness. At last Jay escapes the hold and works through the pain to deliver a succession of kicks. HANDSPRING CUTTER for 2! Lethal Injection blocked as the clock ticks towards 2 minutes remaining in the time limit…and Bennett gets a close nearfall with a spinebuster. Box Office Smash countered this time with Lethal coming up with a sliding DDT. Less than a minute to go as Jay goes to the top rope! MACHO ELBOW MISSES! Bennett goes all MMA fighter with mounted punches…but since Lethal is still fighting and protecting himself the referee doesn’t stop it. The time limit expires at 13:02 (shown)
Rating - *** - These two have really good chemistry together so I was perfectly happy to get a longer version of the entertaining Best In The World bout. Lethal is so popular with live crowds and Bennett is such an obvious heel that everything they do in the ring gets raucous crowd responses. Had they had more time to really flesh out the heel vs face stuff, and throw in a decent finish I could have gone higher on my rating. We definitely need another rematch…
Bennett and Evans are furious at Todd Sinclair’s decision not to stop the match in that ground and pound. He’s so pissed off he declines the offer of more time from Lethal as he thinks he won outright
NEXT WEEK – It’s Briscoes/All Nights again, this time with a Final Battle title shot up for grabs.
Tape Rating - *** - Good show, even when you take into account it had to carry a Mike Mondo match. TJP debuting, an effective segment with the Briscoes, the start of the build to Final Battle and a competitive main event all made for this being a solid hour of pro-wrestling. I miss Hog, and I think visually the whole HD set-up made the HDNet show LOOK a lot better, but in terms of content the new Sinclair show is absolutely blowing it out of the water.
ROH on SBG Episodes 1-5 – Top 5 Matches
5) Charlie Haas/Shelton Benjamin vs Kings Of Wrestling (*** - Episode 001)
4) Jay Lethal vs Mike Bennett (*** - Episode 005)
3) Eddie Edwards vs Michael Elgin (*** - Episode 004)
2) El Generico vs Jay Lethal (**** - Episode 002)
1) Davey Richards vs Roderick Strong (**** - Episode 003)