ROH on Sinclair – Episode 011 – 3rd December 2011
So whilst ROH’s tour schedule saw the crew battling in the Carolinas for the weekend, the TV show was still broadcast across the Sinclair group of stations as planned on the Saturday evening – which technically means this episode is sandwiched between the Southern Hostility and Northern Aggression legs of the Carolinas weekend. With Kevin Steen scheduled to be in the building and a Future Shock vs Young Bucks main event lined up, this show probably has as much going for it as the live shows anyway. We’re in Louisville, KY with Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness.
Tommaso Ciampa vs Shiloh Jonze
We get a lengthy video package featuring Nana and Ciampa, both emphasising the fact that Tommaso is thus far undefeated in ROH. I highly doubt they’d do that if Jonze seriously had a hope in hell of winning tonight. He’s one of the more popular guys on the OVW scene, although he’s never looked particularly exceptional in a Ring Of Honor ring to my recollection.
Ciampa wastes no time getting to work on Shiloh, dragging him into the corner for a flurry of knees and elbows. Jonze pops the crowd with a few chops…but runs headlong into a clothesline and is soon back on the canvas. He blocks Ciampa’s backbreaker from the ropes and scores with a slightly wild punch from the top rope. Sadly it has little impact as Tommaso pops from the mat into a dropkick to the legs…then turns the lights out with a knee to the face flurry. Project Ciampa wins it at 04:04
Rating - * - My usual comment on ROH’s televised squash matches is that they go on for too long, and this was no different. Why did it need four minutes to accomplish what could have been done in two? Shiloh Jonze is a nobody in ROH and certainly didn’t need to go this long. Tommaso has a bright future though and, despite not talking much, conveys his gimmick very well.
The Briscoes are annoyed that WGTT came and attacked them with chairs last week – but didn’t get the same fines that Jay and Mark have received previously.
Elsewhere, ANX challenge Haas and Benjamin to a Proving Ground Match next week.
Back from commercials, the ring is looking pretty full as Kevin Kelly, Nigel McGuinness, Jim Cornette, Steve Corino and Jimmy Jacobs all await the arrival of Kevin Steen and his legal team. He’s here to hear Jim Cornette’s settlement offer. It’s a funny settlement offer as, instead of offering anything, Jim simply rants about how much of a ‘crazy asshole’ Steen is. Mr Wrestling accuses him of kissing Davey Richards’ ass and making him a puppet champion…so Corino jumps in and makes the offer. It’s pretty simple – Steen vs Corino at Final Battle. If Kevin wins he’s back in ROH – but he’ll be facing the ‘evil’ Steve Corino, with Jimmy Jacobs as referee.
INSIDE ROH – The shenanigans between Jay Lethal, Mike Bennett and El Generico at the end of last week’s show have prompted ROH to book them in a Triple Threat Match for the TV Title at Final Battle. Meanwhile, Eddie Edwards and Dan Severn continue to hype the World Championship showdown with Davey Richards. The champion moans about Eddie’s training making him a different person which makes it harder for him to prepare. Oh, and Roderick Strong is still in a bar moaning about a lack of credible applicants for the Roderick Strong Invitational.
The Young Bucks complain about veterans of the wrestling business (including naming Booker T personally) not giving them enough respect.
Future Shock vs Young Bucks
These guys were having a great dark match at Best In The World, before the Bravado Brothers ran in and ruined it. Now they have the spotlight of a televised main event to show the world exactly how talented they are.
Cole starts with Nick and, as you might expect, it’s very quick. The educated feet of Future Shock give them the early advantage. They even string together some nice combos, planting Matt with a flapjack faceplant sequence for 2. Nick eventually knocks O’Reilly out of the ring with an illegal dropkick, as the Young Bucks utilise their experience as a team to slowly regain their footing in the contest. Neckbreaker/somersault senton combo in the corner gets 2. The Jacksons quickly cut the ring in half and successfully isolate Kyle from his partner. O’Reilly is explosive though, catching Matt with a belly to belly suplex then driving two knees into Nick’s stomach as he goes for a frog splash. Hot tag to Cole at last…OCEAN CYCLONE SUPLEX INTO THE APRON ON NICK! He gets 2 with that gorgeous flying crossbody block. O’Reilly is back, catching both Bucks with the Rolling Butterflies. Double Arm DDT/Ocean Cyclone combo on Nick! MATT BACKFLIPS TO AVOID TOTAL ELIMINATION! ROLLING POWERBOMBS ON COLE! DOUBLE SUPERKICK GETS 2! More Bang For Your Buck misses…FRONT CHOKE BY O’REILLY! Nick as to fight his way past Cole before making a save…Kyle refuses to let go! SLINGSHOT NECKBREAKER FROM NICK TO SAVE! MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK! It’s over at 10:58 (shown)…
Rating - *** - The first half of the match was disappointing, but out of nowhere this one sparked into life and they were electrifying. There were at least two occasions where I genuinely thought Future Shock might actually get a rare victory over a ‘name team’ in ROH, which is a credit and testament to the amount of suspense these guys were able to build. For free TV this was so much fun…
NEXT WEEK – Haas and Benjamin vs All Night Express in the Proving Ground.
Tape Rating - ** - Tough show to rate. I really didn’t like the Ciampa segment so the episode started on a pretty flat note – although the Steen appearance and a spot-tacular main event ensured things picked up from there. However the Steen segment could have been better in my opinion. Mr Wrestling has been hyped up as an uncontrollable nightmare, and I didn’t think him standing there hurling churlish insults at Jim Cornette like a smart ass teenager did his credibility much good. That said, Corino was MONEY in the segment and sold me on their Final Battle match regardless. The Edwards/Richards/Severn stuff is getting very annoying as well…but at least the Final Battle card is starting to take shape and ROH are pushing it HARD. We have Richards/Edwards 3, Briscoes/WGTT, Steen/Corino and Lethal/Bennett/Generico all now booked giving the line-up a very strong look even thought we’re still a few weeks out.